The Special Needs Parent Blog
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Preventing summer math loss can make math fun for the whole family!
Summer is a great time to organize your life as a parent of a child with special needs!Overwhelmed No More is a book and workbook set with my complete, easy-to-follow system for helping you get life under control and running smoothly - for you, your children, and your family. Order your copy now - and put strategies in place for a manageable school year!Learn more atOr download your copy instantly at
Summer MATH loss too? Yes - but these fun tips will keep up your child's skills, this summer and all year 'round!
by Joan Celebi, Ed.M.
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com
After my last article, with tips and resources to help prevent summer reading loss among children and teens with special needs, several parents asked whether there is also summer math loss – and if so, what can be done about it. The answer is yes – students typically lose ground in both reading and math over the summer months – and for children with special needs, it can be particularly challenging to catch up again at the beginning of each school year. But don’t worry – there are many things parents can do to prevent summer math loss, most of which are simple and can be incorporated into your normal daily activities. Try these for starters – and you will also think of many more as you and your child have fun with math this summer!
1. Measure things around the house or yard using a tape measure. Try using both the metric and English system.
2. Weigh things around the house using an ordinary bathroom scale. Compare weights and sizes, talk about density, etc.
3. For young children, count things everywhere you go!
4. Try grouping things into categories, grouping things into equal parts, etc.
5. Track daily temperatures and / or weather and plot them on a graph.
6. Add and subtract while shopping.
7. Practice working with percentages at the mall. For example, if a pair of jeans is 40% off, how much will it cost?
8. Have your child clip coupons, then use them to create word problems either at home or at the grocery store.
9. Work with fractions and equivalents while cooking.
10. Work with distance and gas mileage while out in the car.
11. Work on time concepts anytime! Make word problems using minutes and hours – and help your child with things like elapsed time, estimated time of arrival, and scheduling.
12. Include a little math in everything you do – but most importantly, be enthusiastic. Your child will pick up on your excitement, making math fun for everyone!
Working math into your family’s daily life not only helps prevent summer math loss – it also helps your child understand that math is interesting, important, and relevant to the world around us. Enjoy! And tell us how your family uses math in daily life – just click on the “cloud link” below to share your tips and ideas.
Joan Celebi
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PrintPrevent summer reading loss -- and promote your child’s love of reading!
by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLC
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com
14 ideas and 5 online resources to help you promote your child’s love of reading
It's amazing to think that another school year is about to come to a close. With summer just around the corner, our thoughts turn to how our children will fill all of that free time! Many parents of children with special needs look for activities that are both fun and educational. Here are some tips on how to make reading just that: an important -- and fun -- part of your child's summer!
Did you know that research has shown that many children experience a decline in reading skills over the summer? It's called summer reading loss -- and it can be an even greater challenge for children with special needs. Fortunately, though, there's a LOT that parents and caregivers can do to prevent it, and in the process, instill a love of reading in children that will last a lifetime.
Whether your child is a tot or a teen, here are 14 ideas to get you started, plus 5 wonderful online resources to help you keep your child engaged in reading!
1. Before the hectic end-of-school-year rush sets in, ask your child’s teacher for recommended reading, book lists, and suggestions for fun reading programs in your community.
2. Librarians are also a wonderful resource. They have an amazing amount of knowledge and experience, and can often suggest just the right books for your son or daughter!
3. Visit your local library with your child and find out what programs will be offered this summer. Most libraries plan summer reading programs, fun activities, and more – all for free!
4. As you plan your summer, make room for reading. Schedule a regular time on the calendar (at least once a week) to go to the library with your child. Perhaps he or she might like to bring a friend!
5. If you’re unable to get to a library, consider checking yard sales and flea markets for inexpensive children’s books you can purchase to have at home. Also try consignment shops and thrift shops. I once found some wonderful children’s books at a thrift shop sale for 10 cents each!
6. There may also be a mobile library program in your community, where the library comes to your neighborhood! Call the nearest library or your child’s school to learn more.
7. Consider starting a children’s reading group. You can meet at a park, or take turns meeting at each other’s homes.
8. Create a cozy summer reading corner in your home, where you keep a basket of books and some comfy pillows.
9. Make it a priority to read to your child at least once each day. It doesn’t have to be bedtime. Any time is a great time for reading!
10. Have your child read to you each day. (If your child is not yet reading, that’s okay! Sit with your child and look at a book together. Have your child “read” to you based on what he or she notices from the pictures.)
11. If your child doesn’t want you to read to him or her, try simply having some family reading time each day when everyone picks up a book and reads for at least 20 minutes.
12. Minimize screen time – TV’s, computers, video games, whatever. Set limits at the beginning of the summer and stick to them. It’s not easy – but this can make a huge difference!
13. Do some summer reading of your own each day. When your child sees you enjoying reading, he or she will want to read more too!
14. Read everything, everywhere! Wherever you go this summer, point out words, phrases, and sentences. Every outing - whether it's to someplace special or just to the grocery store - is packed with opportunities to read and have fun with words!
One more tip: let your child choose his or her own books to read. Research shows that allowing children to select their own reading materials is a key component to success in reading.
To learn more about how you can help your child strengthen his or her reading skills and prevent summer reading loss, check out these resources:
Reading Rockets - Parent Page
http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents
Summer Reading
http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/summer-reading.pdf
Reading is Fundamental – ages 0 – 5
http://www.rif.org/kids/leadingtoreading/en/leadingtoreading.htm
Reading is Fundamental – ages 5 – 15
http://www.rif.org/kids/readingplanet.htm
And if you’d like to read an excellent recent scholarly article on the topic of summer learning loss and what parents can do to prevent it, go to http://www.kappanmagazine.org/content/92/7/64.abstract
Most importantly of all, enjoy your reading adventures with your child this summer!
Warmly,
Joan
Joan Celebi, Ed.M.
SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com
Special Quotes for Moms of Children with Special Needs
by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLC
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com
Happy Mother's Day!
"A mother understands what a child does not say."
- Jewish proverb
"Mama exhorted her children at every opportunity to 'jump at de sun.' We might not land on the sun, but at least we would get off the ground."
- Zora Neale Hurston
"Mother love is the fuel that enables human beings to do the impossible."
-Marion C. Garretty
"A child's hand in yours - what tenderness it arouses, what power it conjures. You are instantly the very touchstone of wisdom and strength."
- Marjorie Holmes
"When I stopped seeing my mother with the eyes of a child, I saw the woman who helped me give birth to myself."
- Nancy Friday
"There's nothing like a mama-hug."
- Adabella Radici
What are your favorite quotes for Mother's Day? Post a comment using the cloud link below to share!
Recommended Reading - Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs
by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLC
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs: Stories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities
A friend let me borrow this book, and I just ordered my own copy. This is a wonderful collection of stories written by parents of children with special needs. Enjoy!
Coupon websites offer substantial savings
by Joan Celebi, Ed.M., CLC
Founder, SpecialNeedsParentCoach.com
Most parents of children with special needs have tight budgets -- here are some websites that can help! You can search for coupons for specific products, or scroll through all of the coupons and check off the ones you'd like to print. You'll find not only grocery coupons, but also coupons for just about every kind of store or product you can think of: flowers, furniture, clothing, toys, and much more! You can even get coupons for medications (both prescription and over the counter).
If you have a favorite coupon website that isn't included here, please let me know - or simply add a comment below!