Summer vacation! That wonderful time of the year when our kids feel free to lounge, relax, play outside, and take a break from academics. As parents, we often feel our students deserve this break from “classroom learning.” However, a summer free of academics, especially for students who are struggling learners, can result in months of learning lost! Avoid that summer slide and take the opportunity to help your student work on strengthening important executive functioning skills and abilities that can bolster their overall success and confidence in school.
Executive functioning refers to the foundational skills and abilities that we use to attend to our everyday lives. When our executive functioning is weaker, we may experience difficulty focusing, following directions, or even handling our emotions. The good news is that by strengthening cognitive skills, executive functioning can be improved, which can result in greater confidence and success in our students. There are many important cognitive skills that contribute to overall success, but the following represent a specific set of skills that students should build on while they’re in school. We’re talking about study skills!
- Self-Awareness
- Organization
- Time-Management
- Identifying Useful Tools
- Communication & Self-Advocacy
This summer, Lighthouse is offering a five-week class geared towards middle school students who experience challenges with attention, organization, and managing their time. This class is designed to help students strengthen executive functions and build these skills through targeted instruction, discussion, and activities. Students will learn how to identify challenges, plan and tackle projects, and find the best tools to help them be successful. Students will also learn how to communicate with teachers and peers respectfully, while ensuring they are receiving the support and help they need.
For more information about avoiding the summer slide, please visit our blog post Countering The Summer Slide.
Contact us or submit a learning support inquiry to learn more about our summer programs. This summer, let’s give our students the skills they need to meet any challenge!
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