School is out for summer! Happy children and teens are eager to head to the swimming pool, stay up late, go on vacation and most importantly, not sitting behind a desk or worrying about homework and studying. However, studies have shown that the loss of a structured learning environment can be detrimental for students. There is often a decline in a student’s knowledge during the summer. Public libraries in Allegheny County and across the county are combating summer slide with summer learning programs that keep students engaged while not in school.
There is something for everyone at one of the 46 Allegheny County libraries this summer. Lapsits for babies, readiness classes for incoming kindergarten students, art workshops for kids and gaming opportunities for teens among many other types of free programs. For those that are unable to visit the physical location, some libraries are present at local camps, farmers’ markets and even the swimming pool. Reading is also encouraged and often tracked at some libraries with incentives for reaching different goals. The main goal of libraries is to keep children and teens learning, whether that is attending a program, reading a book (or other formats) and even volunteering.
This month’s segment of Books & Beyond on Pittsburgh Today Live with Heather Abraham and David Highfield features summer learning at three county libraries – Andrew Bayne Memorial Library (Erin Thompson), C.C. Mellor Memorial Library (Erin Tobiasz) and Upper St. Clair Township Library (Colleen Miles). To watch the full segment, click here. The book for this month’s segment is My First Lift-the-Flap Nursery Rhymes, a perfect title for babies and toddlers that introduces beloved nursery rhymes with interactive flaps. Limited copies of the book are available, so if interested complete this survey after watching the segment. Check ACLA Youth Services on Facebook for parent tips regarding this book.
Learn more about summer learning by visiting your local library and following ACLA Youth Services on Facebook.