How to Prevent “Summer Slide”: Keep children engaged in learning throughout the summer without relying solely on workbooks.

What is “Summer Slide”? Research shows that over summer break, students typically lose two months of reading skills and nearly three months of math skills. This leads to the need for remediation at the beginning of the next school year, delaying new learning.

How to Prevent “Summer Slide”: Keep children engaged in learning throughout the summer without relying solely on workbooks. Here are some fun and effective ideas:

Reading:

• Create a summer reading plan with your child. Set achievable goals, like 15 minutes of reading per day or completing 4-6 books over the summer.

• Build excitement with a reading tracker (stickers, calendar) to monitor progress.

• Read to and with your child, regardless of age. Listening to stories improves vocabulary and comprehension.

• Discuss books together. Ask about characters, settings, and plot. Make predictions together.

• Encourage reading in daily life: menus, labels, signs.

• Visit the library regularly. Let your child choose books of interest and appropriate reading level.

• Start a book club with friends to share and discuss favorite reads.

• Work on vocabulary: daily word of the day, spelling practice, flashcards for sight words.

Math:

• Apply math in real-life situations: involve children in grocery shopping to discuss prices, calculations, and measurements.

• Bake as a family to explore fractions, measurements, and conversions.

• Create flashcards for math facts (e.g., multiplication) and practice during errands.

Writing:

• Encourage journaling: document family vacations or trips with drawings, pictures, and descriptions.

• Write letters to family or friends and send them by mail.