At first, the term “summer slide” might sound quite fun. What child doesn’t love cruising down the steep, winding slides found throughout Jackson’s many playgrounds? Unfortunately, when educators utilize the phrase “summer slide,” it has a much more unfortunate meaning: it refers to summer learning loss.
But isn’t summer a time for fun and recreation, you might ask? While physical activity and outdoor recreation are important for healthy development, you don’t want your child’s brain to actually go on vacation. On average, children who don’t keep their minds active throughout the summer lose over 2 months of reading and math growth. In time, the cumulative effects of these summertime losses start adding up. By the start of 6th grade, these students will be 3 grades behind their peers in reading. Ultimately, the “summer slide” may even deter students from finishing high school or going on to college.
But isn’t summer a time for fun and recreation, you might ask? While physical activity and outdoor recreation are important for healthy development, you don’t want your child’s brain to actually go on vacation. On average, children who don’t keep their minds active throughout the summer lose over 2 months of reading and math growth. In time, the cumulative effects of these summertime losses start adding up. By the start of 6th grade, these students will be 3 grades behind their peers in reading. Ultimately, the “summer slide” may even deter students from finishing high school or going on to college.
Fortunately, keeping your child’s brain active this summer doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive! Check out our extensive list of summer activities and resources below!
READING TO-DO'S:
OTHER RESOURCES:
READING TO-DO'S:
- Read aloud:
- Reading aloud enables you to check in on your child's comprehension and oral fluency.
- Asking your child to read aloud to you encourages personal accountability.
- Read often:
- Reading 4 to 6 books over the summer has been shown to prevent learning loss.
- Ask your child to read at least 20 minutes per day, or 2-3 hours per week.
- Talk about what you read
- Ask them what they read! Prompt for details and inferential thinking.
- Talk about what you've read! It’s important to make connections and show that reading is valuable to you, too! Click here for more tips.
- Play math games:
- Cook with your child:
- Use measuring and mathematical skills to make yummy foods!
- Start a small business:
- Teach your child about monetary math by helping them start a lemonade stand or similar business. Click here for more tips.
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Play "Summer Bingo" as a family or another easy word game.
- Make a summer bucket-list as a family. Use this link for ideas.
- Check out our "summer slide" power point or this document for local activity ideas.
- Make a nature journal! For a copy of our FORTY PAGE "summertime journal" email Jade.
- Check out one of our backpacks! We have a variety of themes to choose from. Each backpack includes books and activities. Here is an example. This kit includes activities like mummifying apples, writing with hieroglyphs, and making Egyptian dinner recipes.
- Check out these suggestions and resources.
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