Over the summer as routines soften and educational rigour sometimes fades, it is important to find fun ways to keep your mind active. Reading and journaling are excellent ways to focus your mind on new learning and memory-making moments.

This applies to adults and children both, and while exploring some of these methods and recommendations, I came across a wonderful list created by Oxford Learning. It’s called “The ABCs of Summer Learning” and provides 26 fun ideas to keep kids enthusiastically exercising their minds over summer.

There are a couple of letters that I particularly enjoyed, so much so that I will share them verbatim — and do check out the whole list, it is inspiring and sparks lots of ideas. Thanks to Oxford Learning for putting together this list and sharing their expertise.

J

Journal. Start a journal this summer to write down daily thoughts, fun and exciting events, and your feelings.  At the end of your summer you’ll be left with a great memento, and stronger writing skills!

L

Library. Reading is the most important summer activity and libraries are a critical part of a healthy and engaged relationship with books.  Not only do libraries offer summer reading programs for kids, they offer reading lists, they suggest authors, and they even run reading contests.  All this for the minimal cost of a library card!

R

Read. If there is one summer activity that is equal parts fun and education, it is reading. It doesn’t take science and research to know that reading keeps the mind active all summer long. It also helps develop vocabulary, and increases reading comprehension, which both pay off in the classroom.

S

Scrapbook. Turn summer memories into a hobby that encourages children to engage their brain by writing and drawing about the day’s activities. Cut pictures from magazines and newspapers and gather items such as feathers, or seashells to paste onto the pages for a colourful way to document summer fun.

W

Write. Despite the prevalence of keyboards, penmanship and handwriting are still very important! Personal handwriting style is always developing, so it’s critical to maintain skills. Journaling and writing in a scrapbook are a great ways to improve penmanship over the summer.

(list excerpts courtesy of Oxford Learning)

What about you? What would your best suggestions be for 26 alphabetic activities to amuse and add awareness to the rest of your summer? Do you have a favourite letter?

One letter on my list would be:

M: Memorize: pick a favourite poem and memorize it. Have a family night or friendly gathering in which you each perform your “party piece”. Memorization keeps the brain active and your neurons firing!

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