It’s the first week back to school in July and you notice right off the bat that your child is not where they were at the end of the school year. Their skills are a little rusty and you’re not sure what changed. It’s what we educators refer to as the “Summer Slide.” When you don’t practice skills over the summer, like math facts or reading, we tend to see fluency dips, math fact speeds slow down, and reading/writing stamina lessen. In fact, studies point to up to a month of loss in academic core areas. Math tends to get hit harder, at about 25–34% of your child’s yearly gains, according to a study by Atteberry & McEachin.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. You can help your child avoid some of these losses with small, consistent efforts and routines.
The skills your child needs to work on are based on their academic level. Lower grades should focus on number sense, letter-sounds, and reading fluency. Upper elementary students should focus on math facts (multiplication/division), reading comprehension, and writing. Middle school students’ focus should be longer readings, beginning algebra skills, and organization. This list may jump out at you as overwhelming, but in reality we can break it down into small, achievable steps without compromising the fun, family time, and relaxation that summer brings.
Overall, the idea is to consistently practice skills throughout the week. Focus on 10–30 minutes a day and try to tap into your student’s interests. The aim is to maintain what they have learned rather than accelerate into new material.
Here are a few tangible ideas to help your child succeed:
Reading – Set a daily goal of how many minutes is appropriate for their age. Let them choose the subject, series, and even the method (audiobooks are great to throw into the mix). Ask simple questions like “Tell me your favorite part” or “What do you think will happen next?”
Math – Make it fun by involving your student in shopping (creating a budget or adding as you go) or cooking (recipes and measurements). Daily quick practice with flash cards for math facts is a must for elementary-age students.
Writing – Encourage your student to find a pen pal! Who doesn’t love to get letters in the mail?! You can also introduce journaling. Going on a vacation? Have them pick a postcard to send back home detailing their trip.
Remember, perfection is not the goal. Keep it light and engaging and aim for most days. Even outings to a museum, library (check out their summer reading program), or science center count. Summer should be filled with fun, adventure, and a sprinkle of academic enrichment!
'Overall, the idea is to consistently practice skills throughout the week. Focus on 10–30 minutes a day and try to tap into your student’s interests. The aim is to maintain what they have learned rather than accelerate into new material.'