Fight Kids Summer Brain Drain with News

Learning loss.

Summer slide.

Summer brain drain.

Summer slump.

Phrases that we hear all the time, but none that we want associated with what should be one of the best times of the year, right? After all, summer should be filled with endless days of playing, giggling, relaxing, and fun! But let’s be honest, there’s the summer break we dream of, and then there’s reality. We’re not saying that summer is this dreadful time of year because we’re definitely enjoying the longer days and a few extra scoops of ice cream, but these thoughts of our kids’ brains slowly turning into mush over the summer and falling behind on reading, well, that does creep up.

That’s why we love that, according to the American Camp Association, over 14,000 summer camps are offered just in the United States alone to help keep our kids both mentally stimulated and physically fit.

That’s why we appreciate teachers who race to pull together a summer reading list.

That’s why we love that libraries offer summer reading challenges.

So many simple, yet totally achievable solutions that will help keeps those, “I’m bored … “ comments at bay.

But might we suggest something else to add to these solutions to spice things up a tad? Change up those reading lists and throw in a newspaper into the mix. Just think about it for a second, that’s killing two (or more!) birds with one stone: kids keep up their reading skills, all while learning about what’s currently happening around the world. Plus, kids get to think critically about each event — a skill that educators believe leads to academic success.

But if you’re thinking that we’re suggesting a newspaper like the ones we’d pick up, we’d be chuckling at ourselves too. No, we’re suggesting a newspaper made specifically for kids. World events that are explained in a way that kids can relate to. News that stimulates critical thinking skills. Articles that are interesting, fascinating, and current. And perhaps one of the most important things? A newspaper that encourages kids to get engaged in the news through a Junior Reporter program.

We’re willing to bet that having a newspaper made just for kids lying around the house will prompt some pretty interesting conversations at the dinner table. So maybe this summer includes lovely outdoor dinners in the garden filled with lively conversation about the latest space discoveries, tech innovations, world politics, sports, arts, and much more!

So what are you waiting for? Go on! Make that perfect summer a reality. Subscribe to Xyza: News for Kids here and turn that summer slump into a summer bump!