Transforming Homeroom into a Fun Summer Learning Experience

Editor’s Note: Every week, Abby Freireich and Brian Platzer have taken questions from parents about their kids’ education. This is the last article in the “Homeroom” series.

Dear Abby and Brian,

This year has been extraordinarily challenging emotionally, but now that a much-needed summer break is finally here, I am beginning to feel concerned about my child’s academic progress. How can we prevent the summer slide?

Thank you for your guidance,

Zoe
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dear Zoe,

After a year filled with disruptions, many parents are expressing concerns about the “summer slide” – a significant decline in reading and math skills over the summer break, which particularly affects underprivileged children. Though the summer slide is a genuine issue, considering the challenging year we have all endured, it is crucial to give children the opportunity to have fun, spend time with friends, and unwind. At this time, it is important to minimize their anxiety. They have earned it, and so have we all.

While prioritizing fun is essential, it does not mean that we should completely neglect academic reinforcement. Dedicate some time each day to focus on literacy and math skills, making them a consistent part of your daily routine. The most effective way to mitigate learning loss is to create an environment where your child reads for 20 to 30 minutes every day and engages in regular math practice. For reading, encourage interactive discussions about the text to strengthen comprehension and the ability to draw inferences. When it comes to math, relate concepts to real-life situations – for example, calculating ratios while making lemonade or estimating the number of scoops of sand needed to fill a pail or sandbox.

Active learning is always beneficial, and keeping a journal can greatly assist students in improving language skills and emotional processing. Make it enjoyable by suggesting that your child react to their reading or real-life events. Encourage creativity or use prompts to inspire their writing. A journal can serve as a safe space for recording thoughts, writing book or television reviews, or creating adventure stories – anything that encourages the practice of expressing ideas through words and sentences.

Regardless of the academic aspect, the next school year will require some catching up. However, this catch-up won’t be solely academic; it will also involve reestablishing friendships, adjusting to a daily routine, and finding a new academic rhythm. So, in order to help your child avoid the summer slide, focus not only on strengthening their academic skills but also on nurturing their emotional well-being.