“Background knowledge is like VELCRO! It helps new knowledge adhere. The more background knowledge you develop and use, the more you can make sense of and remember new information.” –7 Keys to Comprehension; How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It!
"When I Visit the Farm" - Lobster Press on BeThereBedtimeStories.com
How do you obtain background knowledge? In one word; experiences. These experiences come from life such as a visit to farm to pick strawberries, a field trip to a museum or reading a variety of good literature. The more background knowledge a child has acquired, the easier it is for him/her to make connections to reading.
I myself have scheduled a bargain, background knowledge trip for my family. We are taking the train into Chicago on a day where kids ride for free. We will visit the Shedd Aquarium on a ‘free community day’. We will bring a lunch and have a picnic outside in the park. The truth of the matter is my girls will get as much background knowledge experience from the journey itself as opposed to the destination. The most valuable thing to do is to question, talk to and engage your youngster as much as they will have it! Enjoy your summer building all that important background knowledge for your kids, whether they are in single digits or double digits!
Be There Storyblogger 
I can still smell the hay bales and cow patties from my Uncles farm that I visited a couple of summers as single digit young person. Every sense was activated by the animals and by the earth itself. I always marvel at the images and emotions that I conjure up when I read a book. Nothing like a well marinated memory of a childhood experience.