According to Michael Smith, director at Huntington Learning Center in Stillwater, the best way to get kids ready for the challenges of a new school year is to dedicate a little time each day to refreshing their skills in math, reading and writing.
Smith, who’s been an educator for six years and at Huntington for less than a year, suggests finding creative ways to practice throughout the day: Help your child add prices while at the grocery store, pause during a movie and ask them to summarize the plot, or have them write a story about their day.
“These silly games can really help students develop comprehension and critical thinking skills,” Smith says. He also recommends making a to-do list with tasks like “read for 10 minutes” and “do four math problems,” allowing your child to tick them off as they go.
