Educational experts offer proactive tips for lessening summer learning loss.
It’s time for summer break. And while that means free time and vacations for many kids, it can also signal the start of the “slide.”
Known as the summer slide, or summer learning loss, it’s something educators and parents sometimes worry about when entering the summer months of leisure. Add to that the aftereffects of 2020 and some experts do recommend trying to be proactive with this year’s potential slide.
“There are many students still seeking to play catchup from remote learning during the pandemic,” said Greg Kaplan, founder of the Kaplan Educational Group in Newport Beach and author of “The Journey: How to Prepare Kids for a Competitive and Changing World.” “As a result, the summer slide has only exacerbated the challenges that many students and their families face. An education is similar to building blocks and when the foundation isn’t fully developed or stable, it is hard to add it in later years. Summer slides can make the foundation less stable and harder to build upon in future years.”
But there are definitely things parents can do to help keep that sliding potential in check — and it doesn’t all have to revolve around purely academic activities.
“I think the summer slide is a little overstated. Sure, summer is a great time to address gaps through summer learning programs and other interventions to help students catchup. But I believe it is also important to give children balance during the summer — a blend of structured learning alongside plenty of free time and creative play,” said Jennifer Maan, PhD, who is head of school at Fairmont North Tustin. “I like to think of the summer as an opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom. Many of the families that I work with travel over the summer and these types of experiences are pivotal for children to develop a broader perspective of the people and places around the world.”
Maan said mental health challenges can significantly impact a student’s potential for experiencing a slide backward during the summer. She said limiting access to devices is one strategy parents can use to address this issue since excessive screen time has been linked to various mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.
“Additionally, it is important for students to get outside and play in the summer,” she said. “This can be done in group sports, or as a family, but engaging in physical activity also promotes social interaction, which children need to maintain over the summer. Summer is also a great time for children to explore hobbies and interests like painting, playing a musical instrument or crafting.”
She said parents can support reading and math skills in informal ways through everyday activities — like shopping, sports, cooking, playing board games, doing puzzles that involve math and reading aloud to children. Parents can set a daily reading time and let children choose books they are interested in to foster a love of reading. They can also take regular trips to the library for books and summer reading programs.
There are many useful educational apps and websites. Maan recommends Khan Academy, offering free lessons in various subjects for all grade levels. Duolingo is a fun way for kids to learn new languages. Prodigy is a math-focused game that makes learning math fun.
Nature can also be a very useful tool for combatting the summer slide.
“Summer is a great time to help kids develop a love for reading. Summer is the perfect time to let kids read whatever they like. They can even do it outside,” said Lori Whalen, assistant director at the Environmental Nature Center in Newport Beach. “It is scientifically proven that reading outside on a sunny day stimulates your visual brain more effectively, allowing you to see the letters better. Reading outside literally helps your eyesight. More time spent outdoors in general is related to reduced rates of nearsightedness in children and adolescents.”
She said access to safe, outdoor environments is beneficial to children emotionally by enhancing peace, self-control, self-discipline and reducing stress.
Peggy Baerst, executive director of Curriculum and Instruction, General and Special Education, PK-5 at Capistrano Unified School District, said the summer slide is always a concern and has been for decades.
“Assessment scores from end-of-year in May to beginning-of-year in August/September often flatten or drop,” she said. “This drop can typically be more significant in math than in reading.”
She recommends a lot of practice.
“Practice, practice, practice!” she said. “Parents and caregivers, please encourage and support your students in logging onto their online curriculum programs. Additionally, students should read daily, listen to audio books, keep a vacation journal, write letters to family members, practice math in fun ways, visit public libraries and museums, and stay active.”
Nhon Ma, CEO and co-founder at Numerade, founded in Los Angeles and operating as a virtual e-learning platform, said parents can take several proactive steps to lessen the potential for a summer slide.
“Enrolling your child in summer learning programs or boot camps that focus on academic enrichment can provide structured learning opportunities, which are often available through schools, community centers and nonprofit organizations at affordable rates,” Ma said. “Engaging your child in creative projects like arts and crafts, science experiments or building projects helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Incorporating learning into daily activities, such as cooking to teach math and science or budgeting during grocery shopping, can turn everyday tasks into educational experiences. Taking advantage of the summer weather to incorporate outdoor learning through nature walks, visits to parks and outdoor science experiments can offer hands-on learning experiences.”
By Jessica Peralta
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