Summer vacation is upon us. And while kids often look forward to the break from their studies, studies show that the time off can lead to some back-sliding when it comes to learning.
In a guest essay in the Democrat and Chronicle, Warner School of Education assistant professor Carol St. George offers some background on the problem and some advice for parents on fighting it, while still enjoying the summer fun.
“Summer slide,” the term sometimes used for learning loss that happens over the summer, is real. “Studies indicate that over the summer students can lose three to four months of their reading and math gains from the previous school year,” says St. George. Reading is particularly important, especially for students who are struggling with their reading. Do not stop reading just because it’s summer, says. St. George. “Research suggests that reading four or five books over the summer may help keep a struggling reader from regressing.”
However, it is also important to not force your child to read a specific books or to read for a set amount of time every day. Instead, encourage your child to choose what books he or she wants to read, and build reading and math into everyday activities. “Reading menus, recipes, maps, directions, billboards, road signs, and words on shirts, labels and trucks all give opportunities to engage with authentic literacy.”
