How to Avoid Summer Brain Drain?

BY CAROL VERAVANICH
Columnist
Q. Is anyone else out there worried about summer brain drain? I know I am. My son is in kindergarten, so this is the summer before first grade for us. He is recently doing a lot. Learning a lot, I mean. How can I keep him on the right track and ready for a full day come next September. I need specifics. Tell me what to do and I will do it.
A. Many parents worry about summer brain drain, so you are not alone. This is a common question from parents, particularly in the primary grades. The younger the child, the more eager the parent is to help him or her excel.
It may sound simple, but you need to read to your child every day. I will be very specific with you since you asked for direction.
You need to read at least 3 books (preferably more) to your child every day, ask him to read or tell you at least one story every day, and do a large summer journal with your child. Buy a large tablet of construction paper. Each day or at least 3 times a week, both of you should sit down and draw a picture in your journals. You should write a sentence or two about your picture and then have your child tell you about his picture. He may want you to write a sentence for him, or you can encourage him to try to label his picture with letters or sounds he knows.
Exercise is important and math should play a part in some of your games. Kids at this age need to feel and experience numbers. "Jump three times, roll over twice, then run and find four sticks and make a square, ready, go!" If you play simple games like this, your child knows you are interested in him and full of fun ideas. He also knows you will play with him at the park and not just sit and wait for him to tire out.
Of course, you should plan for plenty of free time where his imagination takes him where he wants to go, but jump in and play with him too.
Also, turn the TV off. If you must have him watch some TV, try to make a rule that is does not come on before lunch. Whatever you do, do not start a very young child's day with TV. You are asking him to wake up and then tune out if you sit him in front of the television.
As you prepare him for a full day of school, you should ask him to wake each day and get ready to "do" something constructive. If the TV is not an option, both of you will be looking for something to do each day. First grade teachers know the kids that have been waking all summer to TV as a babysitter. They are quite difficult to engage and attention problems almost always play a part for these kids.
Last, but not least, shop and cook with your child. Have him help with recipes and get his hands as dirty as you can stand. This is reading, math and science all rolled up in a lot of fun for children of this age. You can also plan some fun outings, like trips to tide pools, museums, the library (at least once a week), and any other destination you and your child find interesting. Experience this summer with him. Time flies and you will be happy you found the time.
Let me know what you think of my summer plan.
 posted by Jane