Avoiding the Summer Learning Slump
Summer break is a time for fun, relaxation, and making memories. It's also a prime time to keep young minds engaged and learning! Children between the ages of 3 and 7 are like little sponges, absorbing information from their surroundings. By incorporating learning into everyday activities, you can help them build academic skills and foster a lifelong love of learning.
What is the Summer Slump?
You might’ve heard of the summer learning slump, also known as the summer slide or summer learning loss. In short, it’s a period of academic regression during summer break.
Students typically lose one month of academic performance during the summer, which means that teachers usually start the new school year with a review of past skills. Children with learning or challenges may experience a more pronounced summer slump.
The best way to combat the summer slump? Talk with your child’s teacher and ask for their recommendations on strategies. Their teacher will be able to speak directly to your child’s strengths and challenges, and support your student most accurately.
Children are Always Learning
First things first: the opportunity to learn is everywhere. Your child is constantly learning. Even without the structure of a traditional school day, your child is noticing things about the world around them. Everyday activities are an occasion to learn.
- Grocery Store Runs: Turn grocery shopping into a math lesson. Have your child help you find items, weigh produce, and add up the prices. You’re reinforcing counting skills, introducing measurement concepts, and making errands more engaging.
- Cooking and Baking Together: Baking and cooking are delicious ways to learn about fractions, measurements, and the process of following instructions. Let your child help measure ingredients, stir batter, and decorate treats.
- Word Play: Practice spelling and vocabulary while driving or playing in the backyard. You can play games like "I Spy" with letters or rhyme together.
- Library Visits: Become a regular at your local library and let your child choose books that spark their interest. Talk with your librarian and ask for recommendations. Read together, discuss the stories, and encourage your child to create their own stories and illustrations.
- Vacation Research: Planning a family trip? Get your child involved! Have them help research your destination, track the miles traveled, create a travel journal, and write postcards to friends and family.
- Game Days and Nights: Board games and puzzles are not only fun but also fantastic for developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and strategic planning. Plus, you’re creating time to have fun together as a family.
- Try Something New: With unstructured days, summer is the perfect time to explore new hobbies and interests. Check your local community center for programming that might interest your child, like a kids’ cooking class, nature walks, summer sports leagues, or art class.
- Spend Time Outdoors: Just spend time outdoors. Nature provides endless learning opportunities. Explore parks, gardens, and forests. Collect leaves, identify insects, or simply observe the world around you. In fact, unstructured outdoor play is good for children, promoting physical activity, executive function, social skills, better overall health, and more.
A Free Reading Tool
With the Lil Readers Book Club, you can keep your child reading throughout the summer with activities that incorporate math, science, and more. Your child may be eligible to receive a FREE monthly Subscription Box Kids activity kit using grant funds from your state. Get started today.
Learning doesn't have to be a chore. It doesn’t even have to happen in a traditional classroom setting. Make it fun, interactive, and relevant to your child's interests. By keeping their minds active and engaged throughout the summer, you'll set them up for success in the coming school year and beyond.