Imagine practicing violin most days of the week, several hours a day, for months on end. Chances are, you'd get pretty good at violin. Now imagine you stop practicing violin for a few months. Your violin skills will surely suffer after such a long break.

The same use-it or lose-it phenomenon holds true for scholastic achievement. Research complied for an Association for Public Policy and Analysis and Management Conference report proves that

The average student loses approximately 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months andALL young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.

That's important information to keep in mind when planning your child's summer activities. It's also a reason the Pikes Peak Library District is partnering with LearningRx, a Colorado Springs-based brain training company, to hold a Summer Brain Training Fair at the East Library on Saturday, June 2 nd from 10:00 a.m.-noon.

"We are thrilled to be holding the fair at the public library," reports LearningRx Director of Training Tanya Mitchell. "While we interact with the children, we'll have loads of information to share with parents about maintaining and improving knowledge during the summer months."

According to Mitchell, in addition to speaking with parents, LearningRx staff members will be working with two age groups at the fair. A group of 3-5 year-olds will engage in learning activities in the library's storytime room. Activities for 6-12 year-olds will be held in the library's meeting room. The activities are designed to be fun, as well as to provide students and parents with awareness of how brains work and can be improved.

"The event is free," explains Mitchell, "and while the children are at the library, they can sign up for the Pikes Peak Library District Summer Reading Program, another great way to keep brains moving through the summer months."