National Summer Learning Week: Learn and Play All Summer Long

From July 6 to 11, National Summer Learning Week elevates the importance of keeping kids learning, safe, and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed. To celebrate, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Reads and PBS39 spent the day at Boys & Girls Club of Easton to see summer learning in action and distribute Learn and Play kits filled with educational tools and activities to local families. To view coverage from Lehigh Valley Public Media and PBS39, click HERE.

Research shows that summers without quality learning opportunities cause most students to lose two months of mathematical skills every summer, and children from low-income families typically lose another two to three months in reading.

In partnership with our local school districts and the members of the Lehigh Valley Summer Learning Coalition, United Way fights the "summer slide" by advocating for and investing in high-quality, accessible and affordable summer learning programs for all students. Investments are made possible thanks to support from generous donors and decidated partners including PPL and Crayola.
 
This summer, programs throughout the region, such as those offered by Boys & Girls Club of Easton, are adapting and innovating to ensure children and their families can access quality summer learning opportunities and critical supports and services including free grab-and-go meals. Together with members of the Lehigh Valley Summer Learning Coalition, United Way will deliver more than 15,000 kits throughout the summer, encouraging families to transform summer’s daily routines into learning opportunities. Learning can be fun, and playing can be educational from tossing a ball in the yard to grocery shopping… baking sweet snacks in the kitchen to exploring your surroundings. Here are a few ideas to try:
 

1. Make literacy fun! Read every day, read as a family and create your own stories.
2. Create art from recyclables around your home.
3. Talk about feelings. Ask your kids what makes them happy or sad.
4. Look for a park near you to get time outside while safely social distancing.

For more ways to learn and play, visit www.lehighvalleyreads.org/summer.