Summer break is upon us – it’s a time for kids to relax and have fun without the stress of the classroom and homework. But spending too much time away from school, without engaging with math or reading, can lead to significant learning loss, often called the summer slide. Students have been shown to lose up to 39 percent of what they learned in a school year over the course of one summer, according to research published in the Americal Educational Research Journal.
These simple tips and resources can help kids continue to learn even when they are not in a classroom.
Keep Reading
It may sound simple, but making sure kids continue reading regularly is essential. Take a trip to the library and have the kids pick out what they’re interested in, then make an effort to incorporate it into your daily routine. According to the Education Development Center, it’s important to carve out a dedicated time for reading to make sure those skills aren’t neglected.
Use Everyday Math
Math is all around you. To keep kids from forgetting what they learned in the classroom, try to identify and point out the ways you use math in day-to-day life. This could be by having the kids help in the kitchen, where they can practice measuring and sorting, according to a blog from Komodo Math, or through board games and card games that use counting, according to the Education Development Center.
Get Crafty
The U.S. Department of Education suggests using arts and crafts as a way to get kids thinking outside the box, using tools like NGA Kids as inspiration. Scrapbooking and journaling can be ways for kids to be creative, while also practicing writing skills and fine motor skills.
Online Tutoring
If you want your child to catch up on topics with which they struggled in the past school year or get ahead for next year, online tutoring might be a good fit. Check out these three online resources to get help from knowledgeable tutors.
Brainfuse HelpNow: If you have a library card in Virginia, you can access this free resource. Brainfuse HelpNow is an online resource for live tutoring help in math, reading, writing, science, and more. It also offers advice to improve writing, and older students can prepare for the SAT and ACT. Visit the website for your library system, log in with your library card, and access help whenever you need it.
Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a nonprofit that provides online tutoring and learning resources for free. It provides support courses for levels that range from pre-K to college, including for test prep. You can register independently through its website.
Tutor.com: Check whether your school system provides access to Tutor.com. This free online resource lets students in participating districts access live tutoring online 24/7. Students at Fairfax County Public Schools can access this resource during the summer by following the directions to view archived classes. It is also available year-round for Alexandria City Public School students in grades 6-12, according to ACPS Virtual Learning Administrator Izora Everson.
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