How to steer your kids away from summer learning loss

Discussions on students regressing in their academic pursuits over the summer have been long standing amongst teachers, administrators, and parents. Test score patterns amongst three different studies analyzed by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) have found that on average, test scores flatten or drop during the summer, with more significant decreases in math than reading. [1] 

Avoiding summer learning loss, also known as the “summer slide,” is all about keeping your children engaged in educational activities during June and July before they go back to school in August.

Below you can look through effective strategies to help prevent the summer slide and choose a few to implement before back to school season begins: 

#1: Encourage reading
Reading is an extremely vital skill that can easily deteriorate amongst children of all ages during the summer months. 

Regular trips to the library can make reading fun and give your kids access to a wide range of books. Most local libraries have a summer reading program with incentives and special events that can keep your kids engaged with books. 

Make sure you let your children choose books that interest them to make it enjoyable. Encourage them to explore a variety of reading materials like books, magazines, comics, and audiobooks. It can also be helpful to set aside at least 20-30 minutes each day for reading.

#2: Practice writing
Writing is another academic skill that’s essential to keep your kids engaged during the summer. 

Any number of activities, whether structured or unstructured, can sharpen your child’s writing skills. Encourage them to keep a summer journal filled with their favorite activities and memories for each day. You can also suggest they try writing stories, poems, or plays to engage their creativity while developing their writing skills. 

Another great way to get your kids writing is by linking up with a pen pal. Connect with family or friends through writing letters or emails. 

#3: Hone math skills
In addition to reading and writing, it’s essential to make sure your kids’ math skills are maintained during the hottest months of the year. 

Board games and online games that involve math skills can be both fun and educational. You can also consider purchasing an online math skills class or workbook that your kids can work through during the summer to maintain and improve their skills.

It can also be a great learning experience to incorporate math into daily activities, like cooking (measuring ingredients), shopping (budgeting), and traveling (calculating distances and time).

#4: Seek out camps and workshops
Camp is a classic summer activity that can be a great way to avoid the summer slide. Seek out summer camps that are focused on STEAM, writing, or other educational themes that can be fun and academically-focused.

Many local community centers also offer workshops and classes over the summer that can be a great alternative or addition to summer camp.

#5: Commit to educational family activities 
With school out of session, summer is a great time to spend quality time with your kids as a whole family. There are plenty of fun, educational activities that you can engage in to keep your minds sharp while making memories that will last a lifetime. 

Museums, science centers, nature walks, and field trips can provide interactive learning experiences to learn about history, the environment, wildlife, ecosystems, and much more.

For at home activities, encourage hands-on learning with science experiments, art projects, or building kits. Board games and puzzles are another great activity that can enhance problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

By doing these activities together, you’ll be showing your kids that learning is a lifelong activity that they can experience at any age, even after they’ve graduated from school. 

Interested in Windermere Preparatory School?
At Windermere Preparatory School, we’re proud to be Central Florida’s leading prep school for students in Pre-K 3 through 12th grade. We promote the values of unity, truth, and integrity and provide our students with many experiences to grow and reflect, so they can apply their learning to the world.

Reach out to one of our admissions officers to learn more about Windermere Prep.

Related resources:

Top 5 Ways to Beat the Summer Slide

Tips to Avoid the “Summer Slide”

Source:

1: NWEA | Summer learning loss: What we know and what we’re learning