4 ways to challenge kids both physically and mentally.
Research indicates that, on average, students forget 2.6 months' worth of math lessons during summer break, a phenomenon known as the "Summer Slide." This decline impacts academic performance, diminishes self-confidence and lowers test scores.
This period of possible learning loss presents a significant challenge, potentially causing students to lag academically by nearly two months compared to their peers. However, parents can proactively help their children maintain and strengthen their academic skills before the new school year begins.
While parents can integrate math into summer activities in numerous ways, hosting a family Olympic Games provides an excellent opportunity to keep math skills sharp while creating cherished memories. Inspired by the spirit of the Olympics, these activities promote physical movement and friendly competition while nurturing perseverance and courage in children as they relish the satisfaction of reaching their goals.
With the biggest sporting competition in the world quickly approaching, outlined below are four ways to integrate math into summer Olympic activities. These activities provide children with exciting ways to combat the Summer Slide and sharpen their math skills.
Transform your backyard into a sports arena with various thrilling challenges such as long jump, javelin throw using pool noodles, hopscotch competitions, relay races, and more. Engage in friendly competition, keeping score and tallying points for each event to determine the ultimate champion or team.
Measure distances jumped and compare results to determine winners.
Similar to the Javelin Throw, measuring throwing distances with a pool noodle can be a creative and engaging way to track how far an object is thrown.
Challenge each other to races of various lengths or race against the clock to see if each child can improve their time. Do simple sprints, assemble teams and do relay races (use an empty paper towel roll for your baton), place objects on the ground (like pool noodles), pretend they're hurdles and give a longer distance run (maybe around the house or block) a try. The options are endless.
Create numerical challenges within the hopscotch grid, like adding or multiplying numbers in each square as players jump through.
For this craft, you'll need paper towel rolls or cardboard tubes, tissue paper, glue, scissors and markers. Decorate the paper towel rolls with Olympic-themed designs using markers. Cut small squares of tissue paper and glue them inside the top of the roll to resemble flames. Create a math challenge where kids solve a series of math problems to earn "flames" (small tissue paper squares) to add to their torches. The winner is the first to complete their torch with all flames.
Create an exciting Olympic-themed ring toss game right in your backyard using 5 paper towel rolls, coloured construction paper (blue, black, red, yellow, green), scissors, glue, bean bags or rings (you can make rings using paper plates). Then, cover each cardboard tube with coloured paper to represent the Olympic rings (blue, black, red, yellow, green).
Create personalized champion awards by crafting gold medal necklaces using cardboard circles or paper plates embellished with gold paint, glitter, or foil. Measure and cut circles of uniform size for medals, exploring concepts of circumference and diameter. For a fun math game, you can also calculate the required length of string based on the number of medals crafted.
Participating in these activities as a family strengthens bonds and empowers children to combat the Summer Slide and stay sharp as they prepare for the back-to-school season. Through active engagement, parents can ensure their children feel confident and prepared to tackle new challenges, serving as a valuable resource every step of the way.
Author: John Bianchette, Vice President of Education and Training of Mathnasium – responsible for developing the curriculum of mathematics that is being taught across the globe in over 1,100 learning centers.
Source: https://www.todaysparent.com/family/activities/olympics-inspired-activities-for-the-whole-family/.
