Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Even though school is now out for summer, we hope families will take advantage of all the opportunities in Albert Lea to bolster their child’s learning and help them continue to learn and grow.

Whether it’s joining in on the Albert Lea Public Library’s summer reading program, picking up books to read, enrolling in a Community Education course, trying out an experiential learning opportunity at the Brookside Boathouse or joining in on the opportunities offered through the Albert Lea Recreation Department, summer is not the time to sit idly by. It’s a time for expansion of the mind, whether it be in the traditional sense or through new experiences.

Taking part in these things will help your child avoid what educators refer to as the summer slide, a phenomenon where students lose academic skills and physical fitness over the summer.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education, students on average can lose two months of reading and 2.6 months of math skills each summer. Students also gain unhealthy weight up to three times faster during the summer months.

Want to keep your child learning this summer? Find some fun activities for them to take part in to keep their minds active.

While there are organized events happening in the community to promote learning, you can also try some things in your own home. Try some hands-on science experiments with items you might have around the house or let the creative juices flow with different arts and crafts projects.

Incorporate math into everyday activities like cooking and games, and utilize educational resources through apps and websites.

Encourage leisure reading, and try activities that engage the mind, whether that be puzzles, crossword puzzles or legos. You can also never overestimate the new lessons and skills learned from time spent outdoors whether in your own backyard or in parks.

If you want to travel out of town, there are museums, recreational opportunities, summer camps and scores of other ideas out there to keep children busy while learning at the same time.

Remember, children can learn in many settings, even outside of the classroom.