I know that may not sound totally right. My 7 1/2 year old struggles in math. She's not done with her 1st grade book yet, and I'm afraid she'll lose what she's already learned when we take our break for a month or so. I'm giving the kids an option to break and finish off their math in August, or work through July with it.

Piglet decided to take a break and go to the next unit in August. She's worked very hard this year and it's well deserved. Both do deserve it, honestly.

But is there a way I can help keep up her skills without *doing* school with her? Like activities to help her retain the math she's already learned? Like things that could be fun for her, I'm thinking...

TIA!

Games, games & more games!! Kids that age can learn a lot by playing games, and skills they already have can easily be reinforced while having fun. We used to spend whole days of school as "game days". My kids loved it, but they also learned a lot. At first grade, just about any game can be "educational" even if it isn't specifically a math game. Most games require counting, sequencing, often simple addition or subtraction. Let her be the score keeper for even more math practice. Add some play money for practice in working money problems. Play "store" or "restaurant" and let her buy or sell things with the play money, or with real coins. Make up menus and let her order her lunch or snacks, then pay you the cost of her meal, or you be the customer and pay her and let her learn to make change. Practice addition and subtraction in every day life situations. My son learned to add when we'd go to church (or just about anywhere). He'd count the cars on the parking lot as we drove in, and I'd ask questions like "If there are 10 cars here now, and 4 more families come, how many cars will there be then?" He loved it, and never even knew he was learning something. Honestly, I think she'll probably benefit more from taking a break from book work and just playing with math for a while. She may even learn some new skills and be further ahead when you start back than she is now.

[I'm not really a 'new member' like it says below my name. Something happened and it wouldn't let me log in, so I re-registered with a new name. I think my other name was TXLori or something like that.]

Thanks, Lori! Great ideas!

I really do need to play more board games with them. We do have some kinds with play money in them too.

Can't wait to try out your ideas! God bless!