By Rania Sayegh, Learning Difficulty Specialist
Over the summer break, children can lose up to 20% of the maths and reading skills that they acquired during the year. The term “summer slide” means summer learning loss, that can hinder a child’s progress when back at school.
It is important to remember that the skills a child learns at school are still developing and do not come to your child as second nature yet. Therefore, summer is ideal for children of all ages to strengthen their academic skills while still having plenty of time for summer activities.
Summer time fun
Try to create space in your child’s daily routine for learning time. It can be anything from 30 minutes up to an hour (including reading time). Another common efficient option is learning with the help of technology. The best part about using technology websites and apps is that children can learn at their own pace.
After distance learning, most schools have adopted using websites and apps to encourage children to practice their learning skills. Ask your child’s school about recommended sites and apps that you may have access to through your child’s school account.
Plenty of fun apps and websites can help build your child’s skills. Here are a few apps recommended by educators for the primary level:
Reading Apps
In Arabic
- The Little Thinker’s Minds- I Read Arabic (IRA) is a digital Arabic language leveled reading platform designed to improve Arabic language fluency and literacy. IRA offers hundreds of e-Books, videos, worksheets, educational games and reading comprehension
- Kutubee is a reading site with interactive features and an app with additional chosen Arabic and English books. Numerous aspects of the stories will inspire your child to enjoy reading
In English:
- Khan Academy Kids is an app to help young children build their early reading skills through interactive activities, musical videos, virtual books, and other creative tools
- ReadingEggs is a programme which includes hundreds of self-paced lessons, interactive activities, children’s books and worksheets. This app focuses on five key skills: Phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency
- ABCyaGame provides fun and educational games that cover English, mathematics, sciences, parts of speech, typing and more
Handwriting
- Writingwizard Handwriting App is for children who struggle with writing with their hands. It provides engaging and enjoyable worksheets and interactive games
Maths Apps
- Mathletics Student has curriculum-aligned activities and helps children engage through fun games with rewards. You can access it online or offline and track your child’s progress
- DoodleMaths is an app which can help your child catch up with peers, stay on track and progress to the next level. It has four apps: DoodleMaths, DoodleTables, DoodleEnglish, and It can identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses to create a learning experience tailored to your child’s needs
- Todo Math is an engaging and accessible math app for children. Todo Math covers all foundational math skills children learn at school. It provides fun math activities and practice of maths that will boost your child’s math skills
You can contact Rania Sayegh at [email protected]
