Preventing summer learning loss through everyday activities

For many school-age children, May signals the close of another school year and the welcome start of summer break — a season filled with relaxation, fun and time with friends. While these experiences are important, the long break from school can also bring an unintended downside: the “summer slide.” Summer slide refers to the loss of academic skills that can occur when learning routines are put on pause. Research dating back to the late 1990s shows that children can lose ground in reading and math over the summer months.

The good news is that with a little creativity, everyday activities can become meaningful learning moments all summer long.

Encourage summer reading

• While most children won’t gravitate towards educational books on their own, letting them pick a book to read builds excited readers.
• Create reading time for the whole family, and model the habit of reading for fun.
• Take advantage of summer reading programs at local libraries or create your own for learners that are motivated by a competition or goal.

Practice math skills

• Use cooking and baking to practice basic math skills.
• At back-to-school sales, have the child determine the difference between the original price and sale price.
• Visit a museum and discover how math is used in science and history.

Foster learning environments

• Find local summer learning programs where children can explore new subjects and meet other kids.
• Take summer field trips to local museums, science centers, natural areas, local landmarks, etc.
• Consider using technology to strengthen summer learning through games with educational content.
• Motivate children to take part in hands-on activities at home – things like building models, conducting science experiments or doing arts and crafts.
• Watch documentary movies or TV shows, then do your own research on the topic.

Adapted from 5 Ways to Stop the Summer Slide and Help Kids Keep Learning, Boys and Girls Clubs of America; How Parents Can Prevent Learning Loss and Build Student Skills Over the Summer, Children At Risk; How to Prevent Your Kids From Losing What They Learned in School During Summer Vacation, Scholastic; NWEA 2020 MAP Growth: Achievement Status and Growth Norms for Students and Schools, MAP Growth.

Maria Calvert is a University of Missouri Extension field specialist in human development based in Franklin County and serving the counties of Crawford, Dent, Franklin and Washington.