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TOP STORY OF DAY - Fighting Brain Drain this summer
Summer has arrived, and many families are settling into the new routine of slacking off, sleeping in, or maybe staying up late to enjoy a movie or video games.
However the families plan to spend their summer break, educators want to help students combat a real problem during summer break: Brain Drain.
The topic is real, but many have differing opinions on the matter.
Educators at Clay Community School Corporation see it happening every year.
A group of teachers gathered recently at the Central Administrative Office to discuss summer projects and curriculum for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.
“Many people think teachers take the summer off along with the children,” said Kathy Knust, curriculum and grants coordinator for CCSC. “Some 120 teachers will have taken part by the end of next week discussing their educational planning for next year.”
Elementary teachers Lisa Coughanowr, Courtney Wise, Kristi Jackman, Megan Mapes, Kim Kelley, Jenny Yocom, Ashley Brown, Christine Lorenze, and Emily Carrico all agreed that summer learning loss is important, especially for young students, yet easily fixable.
READING
The group agreed the major thing that parents can do to help their child excel is to encourage reading at all age levels. Visiting a local library can be great for children, like the Brazil Public Library (204 N. Walnut St, Brazil) or the REIN Center Library (700 Main Street) in Clay City.
“Reading at home or the library helps increase their vocabulary and comprehension skills. The library is a huge resource, and it’s free.”
TALKING
Many families find it difficult to talk to each other in today’s busy world. Conversation is a great way to encourage a young child’s development.
“Some people spend more time on their phone than they do with actually talking to their children. Take time to talk to your children.”
GROCERY STORE OR
SHOPPING TRIPS
Kids learn all the time when encouraged. Grocery stores or shopping trips are great opportunities to talk about shapes, colors, reading, and numbers and learn basic math skills for younger children.
Older children can become involved in shopping by writing lists, discussing budgeting and couponing, taking advantage of sale prices, and handling money.
“There are many different things, life skills and such by visiting the grocery or department stores with mom and dad or other family members that open a child’s mind to environmental learning.”
WATCHING A MOVIE OR TELEVISION TOGETHER
If a child is interested in something, pick a show or movie and watch it as a family. Afterward, discuss what the movie was about.
“Asking children the story’s who, what, when, where, and why helps with problem-solving. There’s a huge weakness in kids mastering their facts. They’ve got to understand that only some things can happen at school. That must also be practiced at home for some children to succeed.”
CRAFTING AND COOKING
Once again, crafts and cooking with children help establish life and educational skills on many levels. Using crayons to stay in the lines or learning to measure ingredients are important motor skills.
“Playing with Legos, sorting socks, or helping to cook dinner are great things to learn. Letting little ones use scissors is also an important skill they will need at school. Many children don’t know how to use scissors to cut out their projects at school, but it is crucial. And following directions is also important because things can go wrong if they don’t follow directions.”
PLAYING
“Physical activity is huge for children of all ages, so instead of sitting at home in front of the TV or on your computer, get up and play.”
The teachers encouraged families to attend the local parks, especially Forest Park in Brazil.
“The park has little signs now that give different exercises that children can do. Parents or older siblings or family members can help them read the sign and do the activity.”
Conclusion
The teachers said parents can help keep their children’s minds open to education without spending money.
“Brain Drain or summer learning loss is so huge, but it seems like something nobody thinks about it. Anything at home can be a teachable and fun moment for a child if you make the time special for them—just a little conversation, some back and forth with your child. Learning loss occurs because students don’t realize their skills. But if they are happily engaged over the summer, maybe your child won’t return to school feeling foggy.”
According to the National Summer Learning Association, researchers found the average student returns to school with test scores significantly lower after the break than before.
The first 6 weeks of each school year are dedicated to re-learning previous material during the new school year to make up for summer learning loss.
Summer learning loss is larger for students at higher grade levels.