ADD Summer

26 May 2008 By Brenda 0 In School

This Tuesday’s Ten Minute Tip is in written rather than audio form. I have to confess - usually when I record my tips, I am the only one home, or at least the only one awake. Today, since it’s a holiday, both my son and my husband are here, and I feel just a little weird about recording in front of them. Foolish, I know, but that’s the way it is.

This week’s Ten Minute Tip is about making the most of your child’s summer, especially in terms of learning. Did you know that the average kid is as much as six weeks behind in reading and math abilities when they return to school in the fall? That’s average kids, not those with Attention Deficit Disorder. I don’t know of any studies that have been done specifically on kids with ADD in regards to this issue, but I would think that they would be even further behind than their non-ADD counterparts.

It’s extrememly important, then, that you find ways over the summer to keep their skills up. Many schools these days are starting summer reading assignments in order to address this problem, but that works more in theory than it does in practice. (It’s an assignment, it’s a book they probably wouldn’t choose to read, and they’re probably going to be tested on it or have to write a paper on it when they get back to school. Where’s the motivation in that?)

Here are a couple of ideas that you might try instead:

Check to see if your library has a summer reading program. Most do, and at least this way, they can choose their own books.

Find a way to incorporate their interests with reading and math. Sports are excellent for this: read the columns to see how your team did, learn how to calculate batting averages. Cooking is another interest that easily lends itself to reading and math.

Planning a vacation this year? Have your child look for and read about interesting things to do once you arrive. Give them a map and have them figure out mileage when you start and as you go.

Let your child choose what they want to read. Don’t worry about it’s value as literature or a learning tool, just get them reading.

Got a teen who drives? Have them figure out how many miles to the gallon they get, how far they drive to work or their friend’s house.

Start a book club with your child and/or their friends. If you have older children, maybe you can read the same book and get the moms involved.

Get out of the box. Reading doesn’t have to be done in a chair with a good lamp. One summer, my kids and I read Treasure Island together. They were all old enough to read themselves, but we read the book to each other. Our favorite place was on the deck at night, with a flashlight.

Keep reading and math in mind all summer long, and find quick, easy ways to incorporate them in things you do. Your reward will be a well prepared child come September.