As we prepare to release students into the freedom that the summer months bring, one thing on every teacher’s mind is the summer slide: the tendency for students to forget much of what they learned over the school year. These worries are quite valid, as research has shown that children lose around two months of their reading and math skills during this time. This results in wasted time during the following school year and is often directly related to the achievement gap between students. Fortunately, it doesn’t take too much work to prevent this learning loss. We’ve included some helpful tips for both teachers and parents to lessen the effects of the summer slide.

Tips for Parents

Encourage reading! Even if your child’s school doesn’t assign a summer reading list, try taking a weekly trip to the library. Many libraries have a summer reading program that rewards children for each book they read. Librarians will have plenty of recommendations, based on your child’s age and interests. Set a goal of six books by the time vacation ends – research has shown that is typically enough to keep children on track for their return to school in the fall.

Don’t forget to include some regular math practice! Just 2-3 hours per week is usually enough practice to keep their skills intact. Before you start printing out worksheets and picking up activity books, consider something a little more fun and rewarding. Many educational math games and apps are available online, and your child’s teacher may have some suggestions based on what they use in the classroom. Involve your child in daily activities that may require math, such as planning the budget for vacation or the total cost of fuel for a road trip. Even cooking together can help younger children practice their fractions and math conversions.

Tips for Teachers

Even if your students are heading to a new teacher next year, their future teacher will almost certainly thank you if you follow these tips! Before the school year ends, start talking to parents about how to encourage learning throughout the summer. Find out what activities (particularly free ones – check local libraries and community centers) will be happening, and think about which students may be particularly interested. Keep an eye out for reading programs, science classes, and volunteer opportunities. For high-performing students, see if they would be interested in tutoring younger students. The best way to solidify what they know is through teaching it to others.

If you use a particular educational game or app in the classroom, check to see if students can log in over the summer and access their account from home. If so, make sure their families have this info and consider rewarding students for their dedication over the summer. To practice their writing skills, try giving each student a pre-addressed and stamped postcard to write to you over the summer. This has the added benefit of learning what your students are up to while they’re away.

We’re dedicated to doing our part to make learning math fun for students, especially during the break! To learn how Wowzers K-8 Online Math program can help prevent the summer slide, contact our team or try a free trial.