Although kids view summer as a carefree time of lazy days and slow paced evenings, it is also a time when they experience summer learning loss. Often parents fail to realize how much this deficit of learning time impacts a child’s overall school achievement. Here are a few facts about the summer learning slide from National Summer Learning Association:
- Research has shown that all children will experience learning loss during the summer if they do not engage in educational activities.
- The average loss of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation and reading achievement experienced for such children is greater than two months.
- Children lose more than academic knowledge over the summer, lack of physical activity and structured playtime puts children at a higher risk for obesity and weight gain.
- Parents have consistently cited summer as the most difficult time to ensure their children have productive things to do.
So how does a parent avoid this summer learning lag? Here are four recommendations from educational experts:
- Start a family book club. Family members can read the same book and get together on a regular basis to discuss each person’s likes and dislikes about the book.
- Schedule regular visits to your local library. Most libraries have summer reading programs that encourage regular reading over the summer months.
- Plan your summer vacation together. Think of all the crucial learning skills children can put to use while mapping out a trip, looking up costs of attractions, and researching fun things to do.
- Enroll children in quality summer programs that offer students educational, physical and social experiences that keep their minds and bodies engaged on a regular basis.
Tender Year’s 2016 Summer Program, Citizens of Summer provides students with enriching experiences and real world learning opportunities. Math? Think cooking and measuring art materials. Reading? How about previewing some of our nations founding documents? With lessons centered around citizenship and our great nation, students will be fully engaged and will keep that learning lag at bay (all while having fun!).
