Using Workbooks Successfully at Home During the Summer
Now that your family is a few weeks into the summer, you may be searching for easy ways to keep your children engaged with some type of educational activities. We love seeing our families hit museums, beaches, zoos, and other area spots for plenty of hands on education and exploration. However, you can also sneak some wonderful school practice into your child’s daily routine with a little help from workbooks.
Benefits of Workbooks
“Using workbooks at home gives students lots of practice on many different school skills,” says Nika Fouquet, Education Consultant at Tutor Doctor Santa Monica. “Kids get the chance to practice skills like attention, concentration, and handwriting, along with subject matter.” Workbooks work well with children of any age, and workbooks are readily available at local bookstores or online. Even better, workbooks are able to be flexible with the child’s current academic level. If your child is performing above grade level and could use a challenge, pick up an advanced book full of above grade level content. Similarly, if your child could use some additional help with foundational skills, choose a workbook that offers practice that will benefit your child when he arrives at school next year.
Using Workbooks Effectively
Workbooks are only effective if your child is using them. One of the best ways to set your child up for success with workbooks is to get them involved with the process of choosing workbooks. Fortunately, there is a variety of content available to choose from. If you can get your child’s buy in from the beginning of the process, you are already winning the battle.
After you have your workbooks, make working in them a part of your family’s routine. Often, carving out time for school work during the summer is a challenge. Consider making workbook time a priority in the morning, before the hustle and bustle of pool visits and playdates begins. Depending on your child’s age and attention, you can encourage workbook time for 15-45 minutes per day, 3-5 days per week. For extra incentive, and to combat the inevitable groans that can happen to even the best student, offer a special treat for every book completed or time goal met. A family ice cream date, extra gas money, or a trip to a favorite beach may just keep your child invested in their school success this summer.
A Few of Our Favorites
The tutors we work with and team took some time to put together a list of some of our favorite workbooks. Give these a look before choosing your first few this summer.
