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It is an acknowledged truth that the
summer time for children means playtime and not learning time.
Statistics prove time and time again that the summer is when young
students tend to lose most of the learning they have gained in the
past year.
For parents of a home-schooled child, this can be less of a problem
since it is quite simple to conduct lessons through the summer
months. Regardless, a structured summer school can still be a
wonderful opportunity for those who learn at home. Not only will a
summer school continue to engage the child in the learning process,
but it will also provide an increased social outlet for a child who
is perhaps used to only studying with his or her siblings.
Additionally, summer camps have added resources that will allow
children to participate in drama or art activities that may not be
as possible at home.
Summer
camps come in all shapes and sizes from all summer long programs
to just a day. What a parent should look for when considering
putting their child into a camp is first to find a program that is
reputable. Whether it is run through the government or has some sort
of certification, it is important for a parent to know that when
they leave their child (be it for just the day or overnight as
some camps do), he or she will be safe. Parents should ensure that
the staff at the camp has been background checked for criminal
history as well as certification in the subject they will teach.
Also, it is important to figure out how long and what type of camp
you would like your child to participate in. Many have themes such
as science, the outdoors, sports, arts or music-related. Consult with
your children about what their interests are and which subjects they
wish to study. Summer camps are a great opportunity to explore
subjects not so readily taught at home.
The length of time the child is away is also a contributing factor.
Many camps are
overnight camps, oftentimes requiring that the students stay on
site for an entire week. It is important to decide if you and your
child are comfortable being away from each other for extended
periods of time.
There are many fantastic summer schools in England (search "
summer
school England " for more information) as well as across the
larger UK area into Scotland and Wales (summer
school UK). All it takes is some simple searching online to
begin to see what is out there. To narrow your search, consult with the schools in your area
as well as the community center in your town. Often, even if they are
not running programs, they'll know of some in the area that would be
suitable for your child.
Summer camps are a great way to make the most of your
child's
summer, letting them learn and play!
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