I'm a mom and a teacher. This is how I prevent the 'summer slide' in my kids.
- I'm a teacher and a mom, I value summer vacation but also try to help my kids not slide back.
- I make sure we read every day and pair math with movement.
As a teacher, I value summer vacation, and not just because I get the summer off. Summertime is valuable because students need time to relax. Indeed, our brains work best when we have downtime. Summer vacation also allows for a fresh start in September with renewed energy; the school year's flow would be quite different without a summer break.
There is a concept, however, called the summer slide. It has been proven that students tend to slide backwards in their knowledge of reading and math over the summer: this is the summer slide. In real terms, this means a child's reading level or math skills might be lower in the fall than they were the previous spring.
In my opinion, the value of summer vacation outweighs summer learning loss. Even so, there are some simple ways that I try to prevent the summer slide in my own kids.
We read every day
My kids do not naturally gravitate towards books, but I expect them to read every day during the summer. Ideally, I want them to read for an hour total, but I know that even 15 minutes makes a difference
Because my kids are reluctant to read, I allow flexibility. When reading to themselves, they pick the book. Comic books and graphic novels count. They also pick the location: one likes the couch while another finds a shady spot in the yard.
When my kids read to themselves, I read to myself too, despite a messy kitchen or a pile of dirty laundry. I know that I can increase their motivation by modeling the behavior I expect from them.
If my kids do not want to read silently, I read aloud since this provides literacy benefits. In this case, I choose the book — usually a young adult novel. If the kids want to read aloud to each other, that counts too. They enjoy sharing picture books with their youngest sibling and seeing his reaction.
We pair math with movement
Jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and going to the park: my kids love being outside. While they move their bodies, I casually activate their math skills. As they jump on the trampoline, I throw a ball and yell a math equation. They shout the answer as they catch the ball. This technique can be used to practice counting with preschoolers or to reinforce times tables and division with older kids. The same strategies can be used in the pool.
Walking to the park, we look for numbers and patterns in nature, like how many trees line the street or how many clouds appear in the sky. As with throwing a ball, the questions can be scaled up or down depending on the child's level. A young child can simply count the clouds, while an older child can create a math equation: three pine trees plus two maple trees equals five trees.
With this habit, I do not think my kids realize they are practicing math. They are focused on moving and having fun. As an added benefit, it is proven that movement stimulates learning.
We look for learning all around us
When I was a child, I enjoyed completing worksheets, even during summer vacation. Now I am a teacher who still loves workbooks, but my kids and many others do not. That is why I look for learning opportunities all around us.
From reading subtitles on TV to measuring ingredients for a recipe, there are countless ways to promote literacy and numeracy. As a parent, you are your child's most influential teacher. With a little creativity and a lot of fun, you can prevent the summer slide.