Summer is when kids’ brains can go to mush.  There’s actually a name for it: the summer slide.  Keep math skills sharp, says Mathnasium.com, by trying out these five easy ideas.  Have fun while keeping the slide to a minimum this summer.

1. Bring math into the kitchen.

So much of cooking involves math! Following a recipe uses concepts like sequencing and counting. Baking requires precise measuring, and scaling a recipe requires multiplication or division. Start with something simple, like a smoothie recipe. Once your child is comfortable following a recipe, ask them to double it, which requires thinking proportionally.

2. Play math-based games.

Any board or card games that use money, keep score, or require strategy, such as Monopoly®, blackjack, Scrabble®, chess, and Blokus®, are math-based games. Playing games can improve your child’s numerical fluency, logic, and probability skills.

READ MORE: Keep kids learning during summer

3. Listen to music.

Music is inherently mathematical. The familiar patterns in your favorite songs follow a mathematical structure. Find out if your community has free summer concerts in the park. See what summer music activities are offered to children in your area. Listen to music together at home. Clap to the beat. Talk about the repeated patterns. Maybe get up and dance.

4. Watch sports and do the math.

Incorporate math when you’re watching sports together. Encourage your child to keep statistics on their favorite baseball team or player. Keep track of how much time passes between goals when you’re watching a soccer game. Compare football players based on touchdowns, yardage and tackles made. If your child plays basketball in the backyard, they can take measurements and compare them to an official-sized court.

5. Read math-based books.

Having the extra time to read is one of the joys of summer. When math is an integral part of the story, your child gets the added benefit of thinking mathematically at the same time. Some titles to look for are “Secrets, Lies and Algebra” by Wendy Lichtman,;“The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster; and “The Number Devil” by Hans Magnus Enzensberger.

Other articles by HVP News Reporters

• 

  Get Outside, Get Offline

  Participate in Fish and Wildlife Day events September 28

  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (State Parks) encourage New Yorkers to give back to the State lands and sites they treasure and get outdoors by participating in stewardship events for Fish and Wildlife Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. read more »
  
• 

  Beware of “Friendly Greeting” phishing scams

  Always be cautious when receiving messages from unknown senders

  The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection warns New Yorkers of “friendly greeting” phishing scams, which are deceptive text messages from unknown senders that can lead to fraud. Phishing is a common technique that scammers use to send fraudulent communications that appear to come from a reputable or trusted source. It is really an attempt to trick consumers into revealing personal information or clicking on harmful links that can download malware to their devices. Phishing scams are usually performed through text messages, emails, or chats on WhatsApp, Signal, or Facebook Messenger platforms. read more »
  
• 

  Tips to help students be better writers

  Writing and communication skills are essential to success

  No matter students' chosen career paths, writing and communication skills are essential to success. Whether a student identifies as a “math kid,” a “sports kid,” or even a “reading kid,” writing doesn’t always come naturally read more »
  
• 

  Safe sharps disposal

  Keeping students healthy at school

  Back to school can be overwhelming for students and families. With new classes, new friends and sometimes new schools, students have a lot to balance. Additionally, changing routine can be challenging for students managing health conditions, including allergies, diabetes and others that require using and safely disposing of needles, syringes, or epinephrine autoinjectors at school. read more »
  
• 

  Smart starts for a healthy heart

  Improve hydration, skip added sugars with better-for-you beverages

  How you start your morning can impact the rest of your day. If you want to incorporate healthier choices into your morning routine, try a concept known as “habit stacking.” read more »
  
• 

  Debunking 5 common myths about root canal treatment

  If you’ve been told you need a root canal, you may be dreading the procedure or even trying to find a way out of it. The good news? Today’s root canal treatment is nothing like the myths you may see circulating the internet, which are misinformed and simply false. read more »
  
• 

  Celebrate your 4-legged friend

  3 ways to give back during National Dog Month

  While most dog owners need little reason to celebrate their furry family members, National Dog Month provides a perfect opportunity to show pets a little extra love. read more »
  
• 

  What you (and your child) should know for kindergarten

  6 habits to start right now

  Starting kindergarten is a major milestone that sets the stage for future learning. Ensuring children are well-equipped to enter kindergarten sets them up for a successful school year in the short term and an academic career in the long term. read more »
  
• 

  Smooth transition

  3 tips to prepare for the new school year

  Whether your child is starting school for the first time or simply returning to a new grade level, preparations for the school year can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. read more »
  
• 

  Top reasons to consider a steel roof for your home

  Steel offers many features that align with sustainable living

  Steel is increasingly becoming the go-to material used for residential roofing. According to industry experts, steel offers a range of design advantages and features that align with sustainable living. read more »