Preventing Summer Slide in Kids: Insights from a Teacher and Mom

• As an educator and a parent, I highly value summer vacation, but I also strive to prevent my children from experiencing learning setbacks.
• In order to achieve this, I ensure that we engage in daily reading and incorporate math activities that involve physical movement.
• It’s important to note that there are numerous ways for children to learn without being confined to traditional worksheets and sitting down for long periods.

As an educator, I highly cherish the summer vacation period, not only because it provides me with a break, but also because it allows students to relax and recharge. It’s well-established that our brains function optimally when we have downtime. Furthermore, summer vacation sets the stage for a fresh start in September, with renewed energy and a different rhythm for the school year.

Nevertheless, there exists a phenomenon known as the “summer slide,” which refers to students regressing in their reading and math skills over the summer. In practical terms, this means that a child’s reading level or mathematical competence may decline in the fall compared to their previous spring levels.

In my perspective, the advantages of summer vacation outweigh the potential learning loss. However, I implement simple strategies to prevent the summer slide in my own children.

We prioritize daily reading

Although my children don’t naturally gravitate towards books, I make it a requirement for them to read daily during the summer. Ideally, I aim for them to read for at least an hour, but even 15 minutes can make a difference.

To encourage them, I offer flexibility in their choice of reading material. They can pick any book that interests them, including comic books and graphic novels. They also have the freedom to choose their reading location – one might prefer the couch, while another enjoys a shady spot in the yard.

When my children read on their own, I also engage in my own reading, regardless of household chores or tasks. I understand that my own modeling of reading behavior can motivate them.

If my children don’t feel like reading silently, I read aloud to them, as this still offers literacy benefits. In such cases, I select the book, usually a young adult novel. If they want to read aloud to each other, I consider it equally valid. They enjoy sharing picture books with their youngest sibling and observing their reactions.

We integrate math with physical activities

My children have a great affinity for outdoor activities like jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and going to the park. While they engage in physical movement, I subtly incorporate math exercises. For example, while they jump on the trampoline, I throw a ball and call out a math equation. They catch the ball and provide the answer. This technique is adaptable for preschoolers learning to count or older children reinforcing multiplication and division tables. The same approach can be applied while swimming.

During walks to the park, we actively search for numbers and patterns in nature. We count the trees along the street or observe the number of clouds in the sky. Just like the ball throwing activity, the questions can be adjusted to the child’s level. A young child can simply count the clouds, while an older child can create a math equation such as “3 pine trees plus 2 maple trees equals 5 trees.”

With these activities, my children don’t even realize they are practicing math. They focus on enjoying themselves and having fun. Additionally, research shows that movement stimulates learning.

We embrace learning opportunities in everyday life

While I personally enjoyed completing worksheets during summer vacation as a child, I acknowledge that my children and many others don’t share the same enthusiasm. Consequently, I actively seek out learning opportunities in our daily lives.

Whether it’s reading subtitles on TV or measuring ingredients for a recipe, there are countless ways to promote literacy and numeracy. As a parent, you have the greatest influence on your child’s education. With a dash of creativity and a lot of fun, you can effectively prevent the summer slide.