The Endless Benefits of Year-Round Learning and Educational Summers
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A homeschool mama’s love letter to year-round learning and continuous education!
Most movies would have you believe that kids look forward to summer vacation all year long, but what if summer vacation isn’t a good thing? Sure, it can be great for kids to have more free time or to enjoy more time with friends, but these benefits are not specific to summer vacation alone.
As a homeschool mama, there is nothing more important to me than making sure that my children are given the tools to be successful in their education–and taking the summers off in our home, simply does not support this. Let’s take a look at the benefits of year-round learning for kids.
Traditional School Calendars Don’t Always Work–Here’s Why
The traditional school calendar follows a very specific pattern. Kids are in school for spring and fall, and they are given two annual breaks around winter and summer, with the summer break being the longest.
If you search online, you will see countless parents struggling to get their kids back on schedule after a summer off–and you will also see teachers working around the clock to help kids get back into school mode and to recover any information they might have forgotten.
Ultimately, this creates a cycle where kids are forgetting information, burnout to get back on track, and crash by the end of each semester. Year-round learning can put this toxic cycle to rest!
The Many, Many Benefits of Year-Round Learning
Learning is strenuous, even when it is fun. Our kids need to get a break, and I always make sure that breaks are incorporated into my homeschool plans. However, taking several months off learning isn’t really a break–it is essentially a semester where school and learning cease to exist.
These are some of the benefits that come with year-round learning.
You Break the Burnout Cycle
When children consistently learn throughout the year, they do not break the pattern of learning. This means that we don’t have to spend time getting them back on track and teaching them how to learn again. They can simply continue to learn, maintain good habits, and avoid burnout because they really do not have to work as hard or catch back up.
You Can Embrace Seasonal Learning
Each new season presents countless opportunities for children to learn and grow. When kids learn all year long, it gives homeschool parents a chance to help kids learn with the changing of the seasons. Being able to go out and see the wildflowers they are studying can help them to be more excited about lessons and learn more.
Your Children Learn and Grow All Year Long
Continuous learning supports continuous education and growth. When homeschool parents decide to teach their kids consistently throughout the year, their children get more opportunities to learn, grow, and have fun too.
No Learning Loss
Learning loss is a huge problem for students that take extended periods of time away from learning, and it can make each new semester frustrating and difficult. When kids continue to learn, they are less likely to forget what they learned and more likely to maintain that knowledge, giving them a strong foundation to build upon.
Countless Other Benefits (Yes, Really)
There is a never-ending list of benefits when it comes to year-round learning, but I want to touch on a few extras:
Learning can be spread out throughout the year, allowing for a better and more relaxed learning pace
Children can ask more questions and explore topics they are really interested in
Learning time can be (as often as possible) moved outside, allowing for fresh air and a new way to enjoy their educational journey
Kids stay engaged, interested, and offered breaks when they feel most natural to your family
Year-round learning supports more bonding time for homeschool kids and parents
Keeping a steady routine, our children can thrive on knowing what is coming, what is expected, and feel in control of their days
Year-round learning supports children and healthy brain development, which is why we love to practice it in our home. While it may not be a practice that fits every family, if you feel it might fit yours, NOW is the best time to give it a try!
Xoxo,
Mandy