草榴社区 Speech-Language Expert Offers Families Tips for Skill-Building at Home this Summer
Wed, 05/19/2021 - 09:53am | By: Van Arnold
After a challenging year of virtual, hybrid, and modified in-person learning, University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) speech-language pathologist Dr. Kelly Koch is offering advice and encouragement to families on low-stress ways they can support their children鈥檚 language, literacy, and learning skills at home this summer. Her message is a timely one, as May is celebrated nationally as Better Hearing and Speech Month (BHSM).
鈥淢any parents have been understandably concerned about their child鈥檚 academic progress this school year, given all of the changes necessitated by the pandemic,鈥� explained Dr. Koch. 鈥淓specially for families whose children receive support services in schools, such as speech and language therapy. These services may have looked a little different this year and possible next year as well. I want to encourage families to use the summer break for a much-needed reset. Parents should be aware that there are many ways you can support your child鈥檚 learning at home.鈥�
Dr. Koch advises that summer activities can be used to build and stimulate communication and learning skills for children of all ages. She encourages families to prioritize these activities:
- Reading. Use this time to nurture the joy of reading. Let kids be in the driver鈥檚 seat when it comes to choosing what they read so it doesn鈥檛 feel like work. Independent reading as well as reading nightly together with an adult is beneficial for children of all ages. Local libraries are an excellent resource for children鈥檚 literature. Check your local public library for available services
- Outdoor Play. Hands-on activities, no matter a child鈥檚 age, are the best way to learn new skills, build vocabularies, and boost learning through the senses. Try taking a nature walk and discussing the sights, smells, and sounds. Plant a garden 鈥� outside or in containers. Start by researching your options, and then shop for materials, do your planting, and care for your garden daily. Plan a picnic 鈥� discuss your menu, where you鈥檒l go, and what you hope to see.
- Quality time. Many families have spent more time together than ever this year, but the quantity of this time has not always translated to quality. Focus on one or two daily opportunities for uninterrupted conversation and bonding. A morning or evening walk together, a device-free meal each day, or a nightly board game are some ideas.
Dr. Koch recommends taking a break from certain activities, including:
- Screen time. For many children, it鈥檚 been a year of exponentially more screen time 鈥� as much of daily life moved online. Kids also have been exposed to a constant barrage of negative news about the pandemic and other issues on TV, with many experiencing online fatigue and stress. When school is out, consider revisiting boundaries around daily technology use. Talk to kids about the effects of too much screen time, how they feel after being online for a long time, and other activities they can do in place of screen use.
- Formal work, workbooks, and 鈥渆ducational鈥� programs/apps. Families may feel pressure to work with children over the summer by ordering workbooks or subscribing to online programs. However, everyday real-world activities and interactions are generally most effective. Play is one of the main ways that children learn, with direct benefits on cognitive skills, math, language, literacy, and much more.
- Academic pressure and expectations. This school year, even the youngest of children had to deal with stress in the academic environment 鈥� from technological challenges to limited engagement with adults and peers. Although you as parents are understandably invested in their child鈥檚 development and academic success, try to remain positive about where your children are after one very tough year.
If you鈥檇 like to learn more, call the University of 草榴社区 Mississippi Speech-Language Pathology Clinic at 601-266-5232 or email Dr. Koch at Kelly.KochFREEMississippi.