Summer Learning Loss: Tips for Kids
- Summer vacation offers relaxation, but it can also cause academic setbacks for students.
- Chakeia Andrews, an assistant professor at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development, has observed this firsthand."Even within my practice, I have had evidence of...
- Andrews suggests parents consult with their child's teacher to understand their academic performance.
Combat summer learning loss and keep your kids sharp this break! Studies show students can lose up to 30% of their knowledge during summer.Thankfully, proactive steps, like daily reading, educational games, and turning outings into learning adventures, can help children retain and enhance their academic skills. Consult with teachers, set reading goals: these simple moves make a major difference. Integrate writing exercises, explore museums and libraries, and use interests, like cooking or music, to develop practical skills.news Directory 3 is here to help parents. Discover what’s next, and find out how you can make this summer a season of growth!
Simple Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss in Kids
Updated June 24, 2025
Summer vacation offers relaxation, but it can also cause academic setbacks for students. Studies indicate that children may loose up to 30% of their knowledge during teh summer months, particularly in math and reading. this phenomenon, known as “summer learning loss,” can be addressed with proactive measures.
Chakeia Andrews, an assistant professor at the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development, has observed this firsthand.”Even within my practice, I have had evidence of students coming back to school in August and noticed that there is a summer learning loss,” Andrews said. She also noted that students in lower-income areas may experience even greater learning loss due to fewer opportunities for enriching summer activities.
Andrews suggests parents consult with their child’s teacher to understand their academic performance. She noted that end-of-year assessments can provide data to guide summer learning. A daily reading routine is particularly beneficial, especially for younger students. Reading together improves vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics skills, while also strengthening the parent-child bond.
Andrews reads daily with her 5-year-old daughter,Hazel,and they keep a double-response journal. Hazel writes a comment about each book, and Andrews responds, reinforcing the learning experience. Educational games and websites, such as ABCmouse.com and PBS KIDS, can also reinforce reading and phonics skills.
Here are additional tips to help prevent summer slide:
- Encourage daily writing through letters or short stories to develop critical thinking.
- turn outings to beaches, parks, and museums into learning experiences to expand knowledge and vocabulary.
- Enroll children in local library reading challenges.
- Set summer reading goals, especially for older children.
- Use books to develop skills teenagers are interested in, such as cooking or playing an instrument.
- Encourage older kids to create social media posts about books they read.
- Incorporate math skills by estimating grocery costs while shopping.
- Have children keep a travel journal during vacations.
- help students create their own books with drawings and stories.
What’s next
By incorporating these strategies, parents can help their children retain and even enhance their knowledge during the summer, ensuring they are prepared for the upcoming school year and avoid the negative effects of summer learning loss.