Summer Slide is the buzz-word around elementary, middle and high school parents right now. What is this summer slide? How can we prevent it?
Summer vacation is an American tradition for schoolchildren and their families, but new research is showing that this practice may not be the best when it comes to helping kids get the most out of their educational experience. For many kids, a few months off in the summer can lead to major setbacks in school. Standardized tests show that kids score better before Summer break than after. The summer slide is this decline in knowledge and test scores. Teachers typically spend between 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material students have forgotten over the summer.
How can we prevent the summer slide? It’s so easy and you are probably doing some of it already!
- Summer Reading! Pick up a few books that your child wants to read and set a daily quota. Nothing extreme, maybe one chapter a day if your child is on chapter books. An overwhelming 92% of kids say they are more likely to finish a book they picked out themselves.
- Add an educational experience to your vacation. A dolphin tour during your beach trip or a museum tour during your NYC vacation is a fun addition.
- Summer camps and classes! Google the local camps in your area. Song writing, art, science, lego robotics are just a few available in our little town right now.
- Virtual summer school and apps. There are so many online programs that require as little as 30 minutes a day and the pay-off is tremendous!
- Nature Walks. Summer is a perfect time to take a sunset walk and collect leaves and other specimens. Then go home and google them.
- Crafts with instructions. Measuring and following instructions while creating something together is a great way to spend a few hours.
- Stargazing is one of my favorite summertime activities. Big summer night skies inspire deep wonderful talks about space and time!
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