Summer learning loss is a curious little phenomenon that we do not fully understand. A child will enjoy the summer holidays and come back to school less motivated and less mentally active. Comprehension skills and focus seems to drop and takes a while to regain. We cannot be sure if it is because the neural pathways of younger people are still in such a flux that a few weeks without lessons makes them lose focus and comprehension skills. Or, it may just be that the comprehension skills, focus and motivation is still in there, but the lack of summer learning has temporarily switched them off.
As you may imagine, there are ways to avoid summer learning loss, but you do not want to do it by forcing lessons onto children. They are only young once, and their life should not revolve around learning (especially not forced learning). There are now tablet devices and e-readers that are closer to toys than they are tools, which is good for trying to engage younger people. Here are some apps that may help to keep your child's mind in tip-top condition, without forcing the drudgery of school onto him/her.
Tales2Go
This is an audio book app that is optimized for children. It streams audio stories and has over 1000 stories to choose from. The reader/listener is easily engaged with the program, which helps them to develop their reading and listening skills.
MeMeTales
This app is a free story app. It has children's stories and picture stories with a wide variety of themes and ideas. There are books for different children at different reading stages. Every week the app receives a new book for free, and the app owner may purchase new books too. If a child finishes a book then little app stickers and badges are given. The teacher or parent may be emailed when the child has finished the book, so that the parent may keep track of the child's progress.
Gobstopper
This is an e-reading platform that works well in schools. It is good for assigning and monitoring summer reading. As a parent or a teacher, you can assign a book for the student to read, and then monitor their progress as they read through the book on the app. You can assign questions within the book and get feedback. You can allow them to earn badges in order to help them maintain their motivation. The app works on a number of devices, so long as it has an Internet connection.
Bookster
This is a free app and it is filled with text that helps children to learn. It is very child-friendly and has a very good and each to use interface. The app works in a read-along fashion, where children are read their story. The app will also record and play the child's voice as he or she reads aloud. The child may enhance his or her vocabulary as he or she reads. The app is available for the Android and iOS, and is very good, although it does have a limited story library.
