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3 Ways to Avoid Summer Learning Loss

Posted on Jun 08, 2016

kids summer readingOnce class is out for the summer, kids are ready to cut loose and have fun after a long year of schoolwork. While it's understandable for kids to want to relax and enjoy their freedom, parents also need to be wary of summer learning loss. Read on to learn what summer learning loss is and how you can beat it while still giving your kids a fun, relaxing summer!

What is summer learning loss? 

Summer learning loss is a phenomenon in which kids stop participating in educational activities during the summer, and consequently lose knowledge they had gained throughout the previous school year. According to one study, the average student lost as much as 2 months' worth of mathematical knowledge during the summer vacation. That can add up to a lot of wasted instructional time over the course of years, with kids having to re-learn skills after each summer instead of steadily building on what they have learned. 

What can you do to prevent the summer slide?

There are several things you can do to prevent summer backslide and help your kids continue to learn and grow throughout the summer, including: 

  • Enrolling your child in summer learning programs. If your first thought about summer learning is "Not summer school!", don't worry; there are lots of great summer learning programs in northern Virginia that combine fun activities with educational value. One of our favorites is Bricks 4 Kidz, which offers a variety of camps for NoVA kids, teaching them about building, engineering, and even robotics. 

  • Encouraging reading. Reading skills are fundamental to your child's future success, so don't let the summer months go to waste. Encourage your kids to read for fun and help them find books that fit their interests. One way to get them to read more is by joining a program at your local library or attending reading events. Visit the Loudoun County Library to see what they have in store for this summer. 

  • Limiting screen time. It's all too easy for kids to spend their summer days absorbed in video games, Netflix, and smart phones, hardly moving from the couch. Limiting screen time can help keep kids on track, forcing them to find other, more productive things to do like reading, playing educational games, or getting some exercise. Make active play fun by getting friends involved, making sure there are plenty of outside toys and activities on hand, and jumping at Monkey Joe's! Our indoor playground is the perfect place to come in the summer, so your kids can play hard, no matter what the weather's like outside.

Photo by lailajuliana via Pixabay