Summer break has already started for some schools and for others, it’s right around the corner. Whether your summer break will involve trips to the beach and afternoons by the pool, or juggling camp dropoff and pickups and sports practice, parents don’t want their kiddos to fall behind when school starts back up.
The summer slide, also known as summer brain drain or summer learning loss, is a real concern. It’s when kids lose the academic progress they made and research shows they can lose as much as two months of math they’ve learned. But there are plenty of things parents can do to help them avoid this. Educators recommend these fun ways to help kids retain what they’ve learned, without missing out on the fun of summer.
- Make it fun - Kids love summer because it’s a break from school, so make sure they’re not missing that. Getting them engaged in something they think is fun won’t feel like they’re back in a classroom.
- Look for opportunities in your community - You can find summer learning programs in your school district, local library, YMCA and other organizations. It’s not just about academics, but social and emotional learning opportunities that help kids engage and connect with others their age.
- Get hands-on - Keep kids engaged, thinking and problem-solving by giving them new adventures and experiences. You can do projects, like putting together a bookshelf or building a fence, and have your child help with the measuring and math. Cooking is another great way to get kids engaged and practice some fractions, too.
- Make assigned summer work fun as a family - Kids in middle and high school may have assignments to do over the break, which aren’t always fun. But you can tackle them together to make it less of a chore. If it’s a book they have to read, read it together and talk about what’s happening. You could even listen to the audiobook version during a road trip and pause when needed to discuss.
- Give your kid a chance to take a breather - Remember that we all need breaks, even our kids. Listen to their words and pay attention to their body language so you don’t push them too hard and slow down when they need to. It is summer break, after all.
Source: Today
Scott's Thoughts:
- The only math most kids want to do this summer is counting how many popsicles they can eat!
- Assignments for summer? Sounds fun? Maybe?
- Isn't that the TV's job?