Whether you're doing an organized "Camp Mom" or just seeking a way to include learning in your summer fun, check these five places for educational ideas suited to your child's developmental level and abilities.
1. Your Child's Teacher
If you have a chance before the end of the school year, tell your child's teacher what your plans are for summer learning, and ask if there are any worksheets or materials that can be sent home to reinforce what your child has been working on during the year and prepare for a quick start in September. Often, teachers will send work home whether asked to or not, and those stacks of summer homework are perfect for working into your "Camp Mom" sessions or learning times.
2. Your Child's IEP
Remember that thick intimidating document you got a few months back? Dig it out and read through the goals for the year. The list should include specific goals to work on, and those can guide you in your summertime labors. There may even be suggestions include on how parents can help. Pick a few goals to focus on.
3. Your Child's OT, PT, and Speech Therapists
Just as the teacher can give you homework that supports what your child has been doing during the year, so can the therapists who work with your child in school or privately. Ask for some at-home work that fits into your "Camp Mom" routine or home study. They should be happy to contribute some ideas or wokrsheets.
4. Your Child's Textbooks
If you still have access to the books your child has used during the school year, try copying pages with quizzes and reinforcement exercises to try during the summer. Some textbooks have online components that you may be able to keep the access information for. When you talk to your child's teacher about what you need for the summer, you may be able to arrange to borrow your chlld's textbook for the coming year, and have a nice amount of time to review it and get ready.
5. Your Family Computer
The Internet is full of sites that offer work aimed at particular grades and subjects. If you don't know what grade level your child is working at in a particular subject, ask the teacher -- or do a Web search for the name and publisher of your child's textbooks. Then do a search for the subject and grade, and you'll likely find worksheets to print out and try.
