What Is "Summer Slide"?
Ahhhhh..... the lazy days of summer. After a grueling school year, students finally get to relax. Even parents
breathe a sigh of relief to get a break from homework and the battles that sometimes accompany it.
breathe a sigh of relief to get a break from homework and the battles that sometimes accompany it.
Breaks are hard-earned and necessary for rest and rejuvenation. However, we need to also make sure that our kids
do not lose their skills over the summer. There is a scientifically proven phenomenon known by several names,
including "Summer Slide," "Summer Learning Loss," and "Brain Drain."
do not lose their skills over the summer. There is a scientifically proven phenomenon known by several names,
including "Summer Slide," "Summer Learning Loss," and "Brain Drain."
Over 100 years of research in this area finds students score lower on standardized tests at the end of the summer
than at the beginning unless their summer is enriched with educational opportunities.
than at the beginning unless their summer is enriched with educational opportunities.
Summer reading loss is one example, and, unfortunately, it is cumulative. Children don't typically make up for lost
skills in the fall, as their classmates move on. By the end of 6th grade, children who have not participated in educational enrichment opportunities over the summer were as much as two and a half years behind their peers who were challenged academically over the summer.
skills in the fall, as their classmates move on. By the end of 6th grade, children who have not participated in educational enrichment opportunities over the summer were as much as two and a half years behind their peers who were challenged academically over the summer.
According to a study by John Hopkins University, 2.6 months of math computation skills are lost over summer,
regardless of socio-economic status. This is because all students are less likely to practice math outside of the
formal classroom.
regardless of socio-economic status. This is because all students are less likely to practice math outside of the
formal classroom.
It can take 2 months for a student’s brain development to get back on track once school starts.
On average, teachers spend the first 6 weeks of school reviewing old concepts and skills before moving on to make
up for summer learning loss.
up for summer learning loss.
However, the great news is that only 2-3 hours per week are needed to prevent any summer learning loss! Just a
few hours a week can help keep the brain sharp and ready to hit the ground running when school starts. Also, 2
months of subject-focused learning is all it takes to improve skills.
few hours a week can help keep the brain sharp and ready to hit the ground running when school starts. Also, 2
months of subject-focused learning is all it takes to improve skills.
There used to be a stigma attached to summer learning programs like summer school. Generally, only students
needing remediation would participate. The trend is shifting now, as more students realize that summer is a great
time to maintain an educational routine, catch up at a comfortable pace, and get ahead with introduction to
next-grade concepts
needing remediation would participate. The trend is shifting now, as more students realize that summer is a great
time to maintain an educational routine, catch up at a comfortable pace, and get ahead with introduction to
next-grade concepts
Summer break is a great opportunity for students to fill in learning gaps, make sense of material learned during
the school year, and improve on skills such as reading comprehension and math. It’s the perfect time to get extra
help without having to balance the workload and busyness of the regular school year. Students can make impressive
academic gains and reduce school year stress.
the school year, and improve on skills such as reading comprehension and math. It’s the perfect time to get extra
help without having to balance the workload and busyness of the regular school year. Students can make impressive
academic gains and reduce school year stress.
You can prevent summer slide from happening in your child. I will share some suggestions in my next posts. If you
need help keeping your child's skills fresh or would like me to preview material that will be introduced in the fall,
please contact me: https://www.peaktutoring.org/contact/ The summer is not over yet, and I would be happy to
work with your him or her.
need help keeping your child's skills fresh or would like me to preview material that will be introduced in the fall,
please contact me: https://www.peaktutoring.org/contact/ The summer is not over yet, and I would be happy to
work with your him or her.
Sources used:
http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/Journals/spring2010/why-summer-learning/index.html
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