Summer – Learning or Losing Academic Skills

All young people experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.  On average, children’s test scores are at least one month lower when they return to school in the fall than when they left in the spring.  Summer Learning Loss is more pronounced in math. According to Cooper et al., research findings have shown that students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in math computation skills over the summer months.

It adds up

Think about the learning loss over the 12 or 13 years that your child is in school.  During this time, the effect of summer breaks on a student can mean learning loss of up to 3 years of academic learning, especially in mathematics.  It is equivalent to 25% of the time in school.

Summer is the great equalizer

Most children think of the summer as a time away from school and a time to relax. Parents should consider how they can engage their child in mind exercises to avoid these devastating academic losses.  As an adult, I know how fast that I lose my
excel skills when I do not make a complex excel spreadsheet for 6 months.  Simply, I need to train myself again for the task.

Stay fit and stay mentally active

Consider ways to keep your child active both physically and mentally.  It is great to participate in day camps and athletic camps to remove summertime boredom and enhance athletic ability, but don’t forget the mind.  It needs daily exercise to stay in shape!   Develop interesting exercises and activities to learn mathematics, science, reading and geography this summer.  Consider a summer tutoring program!