So summer is here, and that brings to mind fantasies of going to the pool and barbecues, fireworks and math. Hold on a second, mathematics? Is that truly a hallmark of summer fun? Probably not for most children, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be part of it if done right. Truly, couldn't it help if it was at least a component of a child's summer? It's not a disputed fact that the long stretch of time that most US institutions of learning take off during the hottest time each year also happens to be the time when students forget what they've learned. It makes remembering those hard learned chapters of the rest of the year really tough. Instead of watching the knowledge melt from your child's brain like an ice cream cone on a June afternoon, why not find some ways to assist them to keep learning during the summer. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
First, why not visit a museum? There are plenty of science around the country, and most of them are extremely child friendly. These types of museums tend to have lots of interactive activities, lots of fun attractions, and they don't seem like a drag to kids. They probably won't even realize they are learning. How does this help you? The majority of science museums will also include a few math exhibits. And you will also probably find that the types of thinking stimulated at these museums are close to the what every student of math needs.
Second, why not buy a math game for your child? There are plenty types of games on the market that make learning math loads of fun. Some are for the computer, so you can quickly and simply install. There are also games for dedicated gaming systems like the PSP. You can also find printable math games which will allow you the opportunity to try new games continuously or keep playing your favorites as many times as you want. You can also go to just about any Barnes and Noble and find workbooks full of fun math games.
Lastly, consider the possibility of getting a scientific calculator for your child. You'll be surprised when you learn how many cool calculators there are on the market. They have capabilities now that make them extremely easy to use and don't require your kid to learn a lot of calculator code (i.e. exponents finally look like exponents). The newest calculators are in color and can display pictures like the TI-Nspire CX. Children come to math with more excitement if they've got the right gear. As a "grown up", you can understand. Think about how much more you are focused to go to the office when you've got a new laptop.
To conclude, while most students don't think of summer as a time for learning math, it can be. You don't even have to hit the books like a ton of bricks just to keep the benefits of all the lessons learned over the prior school year.
Learn more ideas for math fun at Tech Powered Math.