This is part 7 of an eight-part series of our Summer Learning Loss Prevention Campaign.

In part 5 of our series, we talked about what kids could work on to build a solid math foundation. The building blocks kids stack in the early years of school will help them all the way to college. In which other areas of math should kids focus on in the summer?

Many people assume most people are born with either a math or a non-math brain. This may be true for someone we consider a “genius”, but this is not the case for the majority of the population. Most skills we consider are in the “genius category” can be learned and cultivated.

Logical Thinking. This is a skill even many adults lack. Logical thinking skills, however, will translate to good executive functioning skills and the ability to prioritize tasks. Encouraging kids to ask “why” and modeling how to get from point A to point C will help them develop their logical thinking part of the brain.

Spatial Reasoning. This skill allows us to rotate and manipulate three-dimensional objects in our heads. Some people are naturally better at translating between 2D and 3D objects in their heads and on paper. However, this is another skill that can be improved by practicing with manipulatives. Playing with any 3D objects that you can fit together, rotate, or break apart will help kids develop the skill.

Critical Thinking. Similar to the above two skills, the critical thinking skill is another one that needs to be practiced time and time again. First, it is important for kids to see how the skill is practiced. Then, they need to practice until they do not have to think about the steps anymore.