Top 5 reasons why summer programmes are good for your child

Top 5 reasons why summer programmes are good for your child Summer is right around the corner. While the holidays are a well-deserved break for your child, they don't have to take a two month long hiatus from learning. In fact, there are several reasons why you should consider sending your child to a summer programme.

Summer is right around the corner. While the holidays are a well-deserved break for your child, they don't have to take a two month long hiatus from learning. In fact, there are several reasons why you should consider sending your child to a summer programme.

The end of the school year does not have to be the end of your child’s learning. Summer should be a time to supplement your child’s education and offer learning experiences not normally available during the school year. High quality summer programmes are proven to help your child develop academically, socially, emotionally and physically.  At ICS, we offer a range of camps for students age 3 - 18 which offer your child the opportunity to focus on a single area, such as basketball or technology, or try a variety of fun activities.

1) Your child is more likely to develop their language, literacy and vocabulary skills.

High quality summer learning programmes will bolster your child’s literacy skills and improve their attitude towards reading through exposing your child to new adventures, skills and ideas. These could be activities like going on a nature walk, using a new computer programme, giving a presentation, visiting a museum or attending a live performance. As a result, high quality summer programmes will help your child attain vocabulary skills much closer to their grade level and reverse learning loss that is common over the summer. [1]

2) Your child’s academic skills and reading efficacy will improve.

High quality summer programmes will also help your child improve their academic skills. If your child takes part in a variety of activities such as reading, writing, maths, science arts and public service projects that are fun and engaging, your child will improve in overall academic skills and reading efficacy, which are key skills to higher academic achievement. [2]

3) Summer learning programmes will help your child transition between grades and develop leadership skills.
Summer programmes help your child adapt to the upcoming school year, particularly between primary and secondary school. They will help your child make new friends and get along better with other students. Summer programmes also help foster cooperative learning by working with other students in group projects and activities. Group activities and community-based projects will help your child develop socially.[3]

4) Summer programmes will help promote a healthier lifestyle for your child.
Regular participation in organised activities have shown to lower health risks such as childhood obesity. Your child is more likely to be physically active and mentally engaged in summer programmes that are not conventional learning activities.  [4]

5) Summer learning programmes will reduce your child’s summer learning loss.

Summer programmes will help your child to retain learning from the previous school year and help them to better acclimate in the following school year. The 2-3 month hiatus often leads to forgetting information learned the previous academic year. Students who do not take part in a summer programme are more inclined to require significant review when the following school year begins. Learning loss over time also accumulates leading to a wider gap in learning.[5]

---

[1] K. L. Alexander, D.R. Entwisle, and L.S. Olson, 2007b, New Directions for Youth Development, 114, p.18.

[2] H. Cooper, B. Nye, K. Charlton, J. Lindsay and S. Greathouse, Review of Educational Research, 1996 (66, 227-268).

[3] Cooney, Sondra, Gene Bottoms. “Middle Grades to High School: Mending a Weak Link.” Southern Regional Education Board. 2003

[4] Wong, William W., Sarah E. Barlow, Carmen Mikhail, Theresa A. Wilson, Paula M. Hernandez, Roman J. Shypailo, Stephanie H. Abrams. “A Residential Summer Camp Can Reduce Body Fat and Improve Health-related Quality of Life in Obese Children.” Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology & Nutrition. January 2013: p 83–85. Print.

[5] Cooper, Harris, Barbara Nye, Kelly Charlton, James Lindsay; Scott Greathouse. “The Effects of Summer Vacation on Achievement and Test Scores: A Narrative and Meta-Analytic Review.” Review of Educational Research. Fall 1996. P227-268. Print.