Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share Summer is Coming with Jenny and Kristine ~ 031
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
Summer is Coming with Jenny and Kristine ~ 031
Summer is coming—and with it, the question every family asks: How do we make it meaningful without overcomplicating it?
In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine explore how to thoughtfully design a summer that balances structure and freedom. Drawing from years in the classroom (and real life), they share how creating a simple vision can help guide decisions around camps, downtime, family connection, and learning.
There is also talk about the importance of reading, play, and everyday routines that gently support academic skills—without turning summer into school. Research shows that children can experience “summer slide,” particularly in reading, but simple, consistent habits like daily reading and games can make a meaningful difference.
Because the best summers aren’t perfectly planned—they’re the ones kids remember.
Options:
https://artforkidshub.com/
Research References:
• Alexander, Entwisle, & Olson (2007): Summer learning loss contributes to widening achievement gaps over time, particularly in literacy.
• Cooper et al. (1996): Students lose approximately one month of academic learning over the summer, with reading most affected.
• Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2009): Play-based learning supports cognitive, social, and emotional development in children.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (2018): Unstructured play is essential for healthy brain development and stress regulation.
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
View all episodes
By Kristine Annunziata and Jenny GoodenoughSummer is coming—and with it, the question every family asks: How do we make it meaningful without overcomplicating it?
In this episode of Big Little Lessons, Jenny and Kristine explore how to thoughtfully design a summer that balances structure and freedom. Drawing from years in the classroom (and real life), they share how creating a simple vision can help guide decisions around camps, downtime, family connection, and learning.
There is also talk about the importance of reading, play, and everyday routines that gently support academic skills—without turning summer into school. Research shows that children can experience “summer slide,” particularly in reading, but simple, consistent habits like daily reading and games can make a meaningful difference.
Because the best summers aren’t perfectly planned—they’re the ones kids remember.
Options:
https://artforkidshub.com/
Research References:
• Alexander, Entwisle, & Olson (2007): Summer learning loss contributes to widening achievement gaps over time, particularly in literacy.
• Cooper et al. (1996): Students lose approximately one month of academic learning over the summer, with reading most affected.
• Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2009): Play-based learning supports cognitive, social, and emotional development in children.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (2018): Unstructured play is essential for healthy brain development and stress regulation.
We welcome your feedback. Please email us at [email protected]
Out of respect for our students, we want to note that while the stories we share are real, names have been changed for anonymity. In fact, every student we mention is named “Charlie.” We use that name as a way to honor privacy while still sharing authentic classroom experiences.
https://www.instagram.com/teachbiglittlelessons/
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.