Many students fall behind in their reading and math skills over summer break. These losses can add up over several years, widening the gap between lower-achieving and higher-achieving students.

This month across the nation, YMCAs will celebrate Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 21. This free event is strategically placed right before summertime to offer families ideas and resources for helping their children continue to learn and grow over the summer.

The YMCA believes that all kids have potential and deserve opportunities to succeed. This is why the YMCA supports the academic, physical and social-emotional development of youth with different programs throughout the year.

Here are some tips for replacing summer “brain drain” with summer growth:

Academic: Take advantage of our excellent local public libraries over summer break. In addition to borrowing books, children can attend free programs such as gardening, art activities, and storytimes. Kids can also earn prizes through summer reading programs.

Local parks offer seasonal stimulation for young and old alike. Visit Love Creek County Park’s nature center and bird viewing room, then hike a trail and look for wildlife. Borrow a paid pass to Fernwood Botanical Garden from the Niles District Library – at no charge if you have a library card!

Encourage your children to respond to these field trips and outings by writing a few sentences and drawing a picture. Display their story proudly at home.

To promote math development, give your child a mechanical tape measure and suggest that they size up different items (this can be especially fun out and about in the community). When cooking, invite them to measure and count ingredients.

Physical: Provide safe areas for children to spend at least one hour outside each day. Meet friends at area playgrounds, and take regular family walks after work.

Teach your child to make a few healthy snacks. Something as simple as spreading peanut butter on crackers and topping with an apple slice can be a big accomplishment for children, helping them practice life skills.

Social-emotional: Gardening is an excellent summer activity for kids, even if they simply plant a seed in a paper cup. Caring for pets is another way that children can develop empathy and responsibility.

Teach your child how to do a new age-appropriate chore to help around the house. Not having daily schoolwork gives them more time to solidify new skills.

Lastly and perhaps most importantly, we can schedule intentional gatherings of friends and family members this summer. By taking the time to just be together and enjoy each other’s company without the distraction of electronic devices, we will communicate to our children the importance of relationships.

The YMCA offers various exciting summer day programs for children in our community that can help your kids learn and grow all summer long. Contact our local branches for more information on options and costs.

For more ideas and lots of fun activities, attend Healthy Kids Day at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA from 1-3 pm on Saturday, April 21st!

Chrissie Kaufmann is a group fitness instructor at the YMCA of Southwest Michigan.