What Is Summer Learning Loss and How Can We Address It?

For children, the meaning of summer is self-evident. Spending the day watching TV, hanging out with friends, or perhaps exploring the outdoors. However, for many parents, this is a stressful time of year. Summer learning loss, also known as "the summer slide," jeopardizes all of the progress children made in the classroom during the school year, and parents aren't always sure how to combat it.

According to reports, on average, students' achievement scores decrease over summer vacation by one month's worth of school-year learning. Reading loss is especially severe for low-income students, and a lack of learning opportunities for elementary-aged students over the summer can also result in achievement gaps in high school.

It's common for kids to return in the fall with a little bit of a slide. The basic things that will keep them on track for where they need to be are keeping them going in their reading—and writing about what they're reading—and even just practicing math facts.

Allowing them to immerse themselves in interesting hands-on and online learning activities can help children establish a daily learning routine and preserve the knowledge they acquired throughout the year.

It is also advisable to concentrate on topics and subjects that most of the children may have struggled with during the school year. Incorporating a variety of activities into formal summer school programs or home study is an excellent way to keep your child on track and strengthen all areas of learning.

What are the best activities for kids to prevent them from summer learning loss?

Let Them Engage in Ready-To-Use Learning Centers

Summer vacation allows your child to forego assigned reading in favor of books that pique his or her interest, transforming reading from a school assignment into a fun and engaging summer activity.

Nouns Learning Center is one of those engaging summer activities that break the monotonous ways of learning a language. It’s a ready-to-use learning center for Review of Standards-Based ELA/Reading Skills!

This complete, easy-to-use learning center is perfect for learning essential grade-appropriate ELA/Reading skills. Designed for either teacher or parent-directed instruction or independent learning working in groups of 2-4 students, the learning center covers a grade-appropriate curriculum-aligned ELA topic or skill making it perfect for differentiated instruction.

This ready-to-go learning center, allows students of varying abilities to work independently or cooperatively — students can use them in the classroom, after-school programs, or even at home for test preparation or practice and review! And there are over 240 different Learning Center topics available!

Sharpen Your Kids’ Spelling and Vocabulary Skills

Including Mastering Spelling, Vocabulary & High-Frequency Words Study Cards in your child’s summer learning plan can help strengthen his or her reading ability and sharpen spelling and Vocabulary skills.

These standards-based vocabulary flashcards provide comprehensive coverage of 25 topics. Each topic features 30 questions - a total of 750 self-correcting, illustrated review cards. Includes Instruction Card as well as an Online Learning Program subscription providing lessons, interactive exercises, assessment prep and more. Detailed coverage of the following standards-based topics -

Words with /k/
Words with Initial Blends
Words with Ending Blends and much more!

Allow Your Child to Get A Deep Insight into Life Science

The use of eBooks provides numerous opportunities to promote summer learning. During the summer, eBooks/workbooks are an excellent way to make difficult things make much easier for kids.

Life Science Graphic Organizers for Grade 6-8 is a downloadable eBook, which consists of 53 pages. Features – Easy-to-follow illustrated, self-directed graphic organizers, along with assessment review questions for each of the following topics:

The World of Life Science
Diversity of Life
Cells: The Basic Units of Life
Cell Processes and a lot more!

The Only Way to Learn Mathematics Is to Practice It

Are you trying to build or retain your child’s math skills? The best way to keep them on track is to simply practice math through math Curriculum Learning Modules.

The great thing about Curriculum Learning Module is its ability to span a variety of topics. If your child needs to work on improving math, Curriculum Learning Modules can help.

Students learn more effectively when knowledge is linked to concepts they already understand and their individual needs are more easily met. Mathematical learning becomes more effective when we use engaging methods. It assists students in remembering information for a longer period of time.

Curriculum Learning Modules provide the resources to easily implement an effective, blended learning program within your classroom, learning center, or afterschool program.

Each module, leveled by grade range, features a combination of Instructional Tools; Hands-On Activities; Curriculum Mastery Games; “Write-On/Wipe-Off” Flip Charts and Learning Guides; and access to Online Learning Quizzes, Games & Activities.

The Math Curriculum Learning Module program is designed to engage and enrich your students while extending their comprehension and knowledge of standards-based concepts. Each module includes enough materials for 60 students.

The activities we have discussed above are just a few of the hands-on and online learning activities that can keep your kids engage and on track with their previous year’s syllabus.

Conclusion

Researchers have discovered that summer learning losses are not only temporary but can accumulate over time, resulting in students who consistently perform below grade level. Statistics show that incorporating these activities into summer school programs can consistently yield benefits for students.

Summer learning loss isn't as difficult to overcome as you might think. According to experts, the best way to keep your children active is to keep them active. Find enjoyable activities as we have discussed above to keep their minds occupied. This will entice them to return to the activity and do it again. Students do become overwhelmed, but the key is to keep them from completely tuning out.

Studies have proved that students' knowledge may not only be maintained but may even improve if families and educators motivate them to stay engaged in learning throughout the summer.

Last but not least, while summer learning is essential, so is relaxation. This summer, make sure your child has enough time to relax and recharge. A well-rested child will be ready and willing to tackle the new school year with vigor.