During the long summer break students risk losing skills they've learned, like math, but you can help your child combat “summer learning loss” in fun and easy ways.

Rather than having children do hours of drills on their own, get the whole family involved by playing games that develop mathematical thinking. Play blackjack (21) or have your child be the scorekeeper or the banker when you play board games.

Math workbooks are great, but children learn best when they develop mathematical reasoning using real-world applications. Instead of having them just memorize math facts, have them practice taking apart numbers. For example, can your child find seven different ways to make the number eight?

If your child likes to be on the computer, have him or her play computer games that reinforce his or her math skills.

Let your children help with money. Have them count the money in their piggybank, let them count out how much money to pay for items in a store, and let them calculate your change.

You can also have children chart summer temperatures, calculate driving distances, and find the percentage of time left of their summer vacation!

Check this website in coming weeks for articles about keeping your child’s reading and writing skills fresh during the summer break.