Avoid the Summer Slump: Keep Young Minds Sharp Without Them Even Noticing!
The school year has finished, and after all that hard work, every family deserves a much needed break. In comes summer, a time of cannonballs into the pool, sticky popsicle fingers, and adventures that go way past bedtime. But while kids are busy soaking up the sun, their learning can take a bit of a nap… something we all know too well, “The Summer Slump.” Without engaging activities, kids can lose the valuable skills they’ve been working towards all year long, making them not ready for the new school year.
But here’s something they don’t want you to know. The BEST learning happens when kids don’t even realize that they are learning!
When education feels like the same as playing, kids stay curious, engaged, and excited. Ready to discover new things all on their own. So now the hard questions: How do we keep those brains from turning off without their carefree summers turning into summer school? We’ll tell you!
1. Make Learning Playful (Shhh… They Won’t Even Know!)
The trick to keeping kids learning all summer? Don’t call it that! Let go of words like classes, lessons, education, even learning! Focus on games, puzzles, and adventures. These all build real world critical thinking skills, and never FEELS like work. Games like Chess, maybe a strategy based card game, or even a scavenger hunt you create, can all lead to problem solving, creativity, and the ability to make decisions on the fly. Not even just “games”, why not encourage them to make a lemonade stand! It will be your way of sneaking in some math, communication and business right under their noses!
When kids are choosing to have fun, you best believe they’re learning. Even if they don’t know it yet, it’s happening, trust us.
2. Stories That Stick
Have you ever noticed how your kids cannot remember where they put their shows, but seem to remember every single word to their favorite bedtime story or movie? That is all thanks to the power of storytelling! Stories can make learning intuitive, engaging, and fun (the most important part of the summer)
That’s why here at Chess at Three, we don’t just teach kids HOW chess pieces move. We teach them WHY they move the way they do! Our quirky characters help kids discover the rules of chess naturally, turning lessons into playful adventures. And if you can believe it, they come away from these adventures with essential life skills like perseverance, patience, and strategic thinking. Don’t worry, not a single pop quiz in sight!
3. Turn the World into a Classroom
The image in your head for learning (sitting at a boring desk trying to stay awake) is not the only way to learn! Summer is the perfect time to let curiosity lead the way by exploring and discovering the world around you.
A nature walk can turn into a science expedition—why do bees love flowers? What kinds of birds are in your neighborhood?
A trip to the beach can spark conversations about tides, sand, and seashells (bonus points if you build a castle and discuss fortifications like a true chess master!).
A cooking project sneaks in math, chemistry, and patience—and ends with a delicious reward.
The best way to help kids grow? Let them discover things for themselves. So this summer, instead of drilling rules into them, you should create opportunities for them to explore, experiment, figure things out, and figure it out in their own way. Whether it’s through chess, storytelling, or hands-on adventures, the magic happens when they feel in control of their own learning. At Chess at Three, self-discovery is at the heart of everything we do—because when kids feel the joy of learning, they own it.
This summer, we’re making it easy to keep young minds engaged:
☀️ Try a $15 Online Chess Lesson: Perfect for new families looking to add a little strategy to their summer fun.
🏕️ Join Camp Chesslandia: Where stories, chess, and play come together in an unforgettable summer camp experience. Check it out here!
🌊 Heading to the Hamptons? We’ll meet you there! Our tutors teach anywhere—on the beach, by the pool, or right on your patio. Check it out here!
Wherever summer takes you, we’re ready to bring the magic of storytelling and chess right to your child’s fingertips.
