Many families who homeschool choose to school year round. The reasons can be as varied as the individuals who are homeschoolers. One point I have heard many times (and I agree with it) is the issue of retaining what has been learned through the past year. Research does show that children who have a lengthy summer break from studies, tend to lose a part of what they learned the previous school year. In the beginning of the  next school year, much of what is covered is review work, simply to bring the class up to speed. This is done before new material can be covered.

Our family does have school year round because of this very thing. We also do it because of health problems I face with a chronic illness. When I have a bad day (or week), we can take time off and make it up later. But basically, we do the various lessons year round.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a "nose to the grindstone" kind of person (although my son thinks I am single minded when it comes to lessons!). I know children do need a break during the "good old summertime". There are ways to accomplish this, and sneak in some learning, at the same time.

One thing I have mentioned in the past is a "learning vacation". When you plan your summer trip(s), try to plan some fun/learning activities for the family. If there is a museum nearby, take the kiddies for some culture.

Visit the library and check out some books your child would be interested in reading (it keeps their reading comprehension skills sharpened). Play some games with your kids that will employ the use of math skills (board games, card games, etc.). We have a book I purchased for my son a couple of years ago, which he still likes to refer to, occasionally. It is called "Planet Omicron, Math For Martians". It is a math puzzle adventure book. Since he has an interest in outer space, robots and such, it was a perfect book for him (and he dislikes math, big time!).

Crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, and mazes are fun activities that many children enjoy. I recently read that the mazes are particularly good for the small motor skills of younger children.

Buy them a journal to write down their "summertime memories". It will help hone their writing skills. Find a hobby, craft, or special interest your child has (if you don't know of it already), and encourage them to do some research about it. Using the Internet (with proper supervision, of course), the library, resource person(s), etc., they can learn more about their favorite topic.

My sister-in-law is a public school educator. One thing I noticed that she did every summer with her daughters (apart from the usual activities) was a daily reading requirement. The girls could choose what book they wanted to read from (usually a chapter book) and they read at least one chapter every day. Plus when they were younger, she had them doing a page or two of math problems everyday, as well. These two things helped keep their minds used to the mental "exercise", so it was not a big adjustment when school started back in the fall.

We are members of a DVD club, and I try to use that medium to help with learning, as well. My son is interested in medieval weaponry, so I found a DVD about a medieval siege for him to watch. We should be watching it before the week is out. If you have access to a VHS/DVD rental store, it may have some hidden gems you could employ to "edu-tain" (educate and entertain) your child(ren).

Of course, you want to encourage them to get outside at least a portion of each day and enjoy the fresh air and exercise those muscles. Before you know it, it will be time for a new school year to begin and your child will be ready for the challenge!