Summer learning loss, or “the summer slide,” happens every fall when children return to school. It’s the setback in the progression of their learning that many children experience after returning from three months of summer break.
The Problem
Grades and test scores can slip as children get out of practice on the concepts they’ve learned. There’s evidence that the summer slide affects low-income children disproportionately compared to their more affluent peers.
“Studies show that kids from low-income families fall behind an average of two months in reading while their middle-income peers tend to make slight gains,” said a news release from First Book, a nonprofit that provides books and other literacy resources to children in need.
“Those three months off take a disastrous toll. [The summer slide] erases months of hard-earned progress in school, lost ground that kids in need can’t afford.”
It’s a topic of great concern to modern teachers, who often spend the first few weeks of school reviewing last year’s material in hopes of partially combating the summer slide. Researchers have been interested in summer learning loss since 1906, according to the Brookings Institution.
But Scholastic reports that only about a third of parents have even heard of the phenomenon. The well-informed parent can take steps to help a child start the new year with last year’s learning fresh in their mind and ready for new learning experiences.
The Solutions
According to First Book, access to books over the summer can be something of a panacea for summer reading loss. “Books are the answer,” the organization wrote in a 2013 news release.
“Unlike their more affluent peers, most of them don’t spend summer break at the library or reading books in the backseat on family trips. In fact, many of them won’t open a book until school starts up again. … Studies show that kids from low-income families who have access to books over the summer not only beat the summer slide, but make even greater gains than kids from wealthy and middle-class families.”
You should take advantage of any materials your child’s school sends home to keep kids learning over the summer. In addition, the Colorado Department of Education offers the following tips to parents on helping keep the summer slide in check:
• Access to books is critical. When it comes to your public library, think more than just the summer reading program. Most libraries offer fun activities, classes and workshops for children during the summer months, providing many opportunities to keep kids learning.
• When a child can choose their own reading materials and read for enjoyment, they are more likely to improve their reading skills.
• Want to encourage your child to read? Model that behavior by being a frequent reader yourself.
• Your child doesn’t have to read a lot during the summer to prevent the summer slide. Reading just four to six books is beneficial.
• You have the best chance at beating summer slide when your community organizations are involved, such as schools, libraries, community centers, parent groups and social service agencies. Consider reaching out to see which resources they offer and spread the word to others.