Activity books for kids are a great way to increase your child’s concentration and fine motor development. They also boost your child’s confidence and keep them learning when they need it most: the summer!
“It’s helpful to keep activity books in stock at home because they provide an opportunity to reinforce the learning the child has already done, introduce new skills, or enrich your child’s learning,” says Samantha Bradshaw, a second-grade teacher in Wisconsin. “Children also feel a sense of accomplishment when completing an activity in a book.”
During summer break, activity books for kids provide the perfect opportunity to practice reading, writing, and math for the school year head.
“If students spend some time completing practice activities and reading over the summer, they will be helping their minds a great deal when September rolls around,” says Joe Saenz, a fifth-grade teacher in New Jersey.
These savvy teacher tips will help you get the most out of activity book time with your child this summer.
1. Set Fun, Reasonable Goals
Saenz suggests easing into activity books and setting realistic and reasonable goals. Remember: You don’t want to overwhelm your child, especially during summer break.
“Personally, I would set a goal for the child to complete one page every other day or a certain amount of pages a week,” says Saenz. “It is important to remember that it is their summer break and their little minds definitely deserve some time to relax and have fun!”
2. Find a Rhythm and Routine
When it comes to activity books, it’s important to find a rhythm and routine that works for your family.
“That may mean working on the books a few days a week, daily, or for special occasions like traveling or on a rainy day,” says Bradshaw.
3. Balance Independent Work With Extra Support
Offer extra support to your child if they’re exploring a new topic in an activity book before turning the reins over to them completely.
“This allows for quality time to sit with your child and hold a conversation,” says Bradshaw. “Once your child has an understanding of the topic, gradually release the responsibility of completing the task to your child. When your child is able to complete the skill independently, they will feel a sense of accomplishment.”
4. Ask Your Child Questions
Actively being inquisitive is another great way to support your child in their learning and keep them engaged. Here are a few questions and prompts Bradshaw suggests asking when exploring activity books with your child at home:
- What are you working on? Tell me about it!
- Do you know another way to…?
- Can you show me how you…?
- What makes you say that?
- I wonder who/what/where/when/why/how…?
- How could we do this differently?
- Why do you think this is…?
- How might we solve this problem?
5. Know What to Look for in Activity Books
When choosing activity books for your child, one of the most important things to consider is your child’s learning and grade level.
“It is so important to realize that choosing an activity book that is ‘advanced’ does not mean it will help your child more,” says Saenz. “Activity books that are above a student’s level are not helpful to their development and can actually have the opposite effect.”
If you’re unsure about an activity book’s level, reach out to your child’s teacher.
Bradshaw also suggests looking for activity books that have a consistent layout your child can navigate on their own. But make sure it has enough variation to keep their attention — think bright colors, quality images, and engaging activities.
“Different types of activity books should also be considered,” says Bradshaw. “Math and writing involve more practicing of skills, whereas science or art may be more project based.”
Get started by shopping activity books by age below! You can find all books and activities at The Scholastic Store.
