Prevent Summer Learning Loss
The school year is rapidly coming to a close. I am looking forward to having all my kids home all day with me. I love the lazy relaxing days of summer. But, sometimes the lack of structure and go with the flow attitude is not always a plus. While summer is meant to be a break from school, a full break from structure and learning is never a good idea. Taking the time to avoid the summer slide will help your child in more ways than one come next school year.
This post was sponsored by Carson-Dellosa as part of an Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.
When I was a classroom teacher it always broke my heart when I saw a child’s abilities go backwards over the summer break. Summer learning loss is actually really common, but it is totally preventable. Here are my tips for staying on top of learning and growth during the summer break, with plenty of time to spare for fun in the sun.
READ, READ, READ: There is no way around it, for some this is easy, and for others this is a huge struggle. Find a type of book or series that your child adores and read for at least 20 minutes a day. Libraries have great summer reading programs or you can make up incentives on your own for hesitant readers.
Talk: Talk to your kids. I know this might sound simple and crazy, and you might even be rolling your eyes right now, but when was the last time you really talked to your child. Asked them what they were thinking or feeling? Unplugged from everything while you drove around town and really discussed what you were seeing or thinking? These conversations get your child’s mind moving. It helps them ask why and want to know more.
Move: Physical activity is imperative for your child’s growing brain. Get outside. Take a hike, go for a walk, find a playground, join a sports team. It doesn’t matter how you move, just do it!
Create Something: Paint a picture, build something, bake together, start a project. Think outside the box. Creating something uses different parts of the brain and helps promote creativity and problem solving.
Practice: All those skills you child has worked so hard to master the past school year? You have to keep practicing them so that your student can retain all that good information.
Check out these facts:
Teachers recommend the award-winning Summer Bridge Activity Series by Carson-Dellosa Publishing. Each grade-specific book is purposefully planned and designed to help your child retain information they have already learned and prepare for information they will be learning next year. By using this activity book for just 15 minutes a day your child will ready for school in the fall.
My son is currently using the K-1st grade bridge book and he loves it. We just took our first summer trip and he worked in his book for most of our airplane travel. I love how easy these books are to use and how they keep my son engaged and interested.
Such great tips. I have one going into 2nd and the other into 5th! I start out with good intentions but fall short once I get caught up in Summer and the routine of work.
summer brain drain is a real problem. Your ideas to help prevent summer learning loss will definitely help parents with school ages kids in the coming months.
We always spend summer time doing fun educational activities. It is important to keep their brains challanged.
When my kids were little they called this brain drain I think…. ?? We always made time for reading for fun activities. I love this!
what a great idea. i know my friend gives her kiddies reading assignment during the summer months. they hate it but it is totally paying off they are great readers.
Great ideas! I try to keep my kids engaged and learning all summer. I’ve learned you just have to make it fun and they won’t even realize they are learning.
I think it’s very important that kids are still learning throughout summer. I put my girls in summer school so that they can continue to keep learning and not forget many things they’ve already learned.
This is something I worry about so, I have them in a class once a week. But, these are great!
I was required to complete a summer-reading list all throughout high school and I really find it paid off. Reading is so key during the summer for kids and teens of all ages.
I remember summer learning loss very well. When I was a kid I literally forgot half of what I learned by the time school rolled around again.
That’s a great idea! When my kids were little I gave them a reading list and projects that they had to finish over the summer.