SUMMER LEARNING TIPS

By Pierre Blouin, President, BC Francophone Teachers Association (ADEF)

For purposes of brevity, the masculine is used to represent both genders.

It’s the end of June. During the summer, children need to play, but this doesn’t mean that learning should stop abruptly for two
months. Try to use this time to reinforce the skills and concepts that were taught during the school year. Here are a few
suggestions for activities that you and your child might try:

Encourage your child to read. Go to the library together on a regular basis and let your child choose his own reading
materials and discover his own reading interests. Encourage selection of a wide variety of documents—novels,
magazine and newspaper articles.

Encourage your child to keep a journal. What was the most interesting thing your child saw today? What did he
learn? How did he feel? Was it a good day, or not so good? Why?

Start a collection of rocks, flowers, shells, buttons, stamps, etc., depending upon your child’s interests.

Read the local newspaper. Communities often organize free or low-cost activities for children during the summer.
The museum may be more than just a collection of old artefacts. Local museums often offer children’s activities and
programs.

Go for a walk with your child and discover the nature around you. Identify the various birds, insects, flowers, and
trees.

Select simple recipes and let your child read the recipe and cook for your family.

Allow your child to stay up later and gaze at the stars. Which one appeared first? Is the sky different at night? Who
are Orion and Callisto? Discover the mythology of the stars. Visit the planetarium.

Create math problems out of real-life situations. For example, ask you child to compare prices when you go to the
supermarket together. Are bulk items really cheaper? ON a trip, have him calculate estimated times of arrival at
various speeds.

Do crafts together. Make a necklace out of shells, buttons, etc. Cut a potato in half and use it to paint a T-shirt with
funny shapes. Make papier maché. Use recycled objects to make three-dimensional sculptures.

Ask your child to help with household projects, such as painting the fence, building a bird feeder, etc. Get him to
help prepare and maintain a garden.

Planning a trip? Ask your child to check the Internet for information. Get out a map and have him trace out the
itinerary.

© © © © & ©

Even routine activities can become amusing and novel. Take a closer look at your neighbourhood and make this summer a
stimulating time for learning. Encourage your child to explore and ask questions about the world around him.

(Text adapted from an article by the Manitoba Teachers’ Society.)

( _ 7 >)

2

EME EDITION DU FESTIV D'ETE, DU 14 AU 26 JUIN

és! iN.
dete

fron as p hone de Va ncobyer

Une programmation exceptionnelle encore cette année avec entre autres
les artistes Diane Dufresne et Daniel Bélanger. Mais le Festival, c'est aussi |
la Féte des enfants, le samedi 14 juin, de 14h a 16h. On retrouvera des |
clowns jongleurs, des clowns maquilleurs, et aussi, un atelier d’art plasti-
ques sur le theme de la musique, ou les plus jeunes pourront exercer leurs
talents d’artistes. Egalement au programme, deux spectacles musicaux,
tout ga, en frangais bien sar !

@®eee@¢ @ @ @ @ 6

\
PAGE. 18 INFO-PARENTS

| Pour plus de renseignements, appelez la ligne-info Festival au 604.736.9806 )

—