While it’s well known that keeping the brain challenged over the
summer can prevent kids from experiencing a backward slide in
their academics, not every summer activity screams “learning
opportunity!” But, it is possible to make even the simplest and
non-educational activity into one that gets kids’ cognitive
wheels turning over the summer break. The trick is to get kids
thinking actively about whatever they are about to do. After
all, active learning is not a skill restricted to the classroom.
In fact, the more that children develop this skill outside of
the classroom, the more they are able to apply it in class. The
best way to help your children develop active thinking and
learning skills is to ask questions that will them help them
“turn on their brains”. Do this during any adventure or
activity, whether it is walking in the woods or reading a book
together. Before the activity to signal to kids start thinking
about something. For instance, try asking, “What do we already
know about what we are about to