Summer Slide and Ways to Prevent It

from PB Parenting July 2021 - Beat the Heat Guide

Beat the Heat Guide

Summer Slide? You may have heard of this term, but what is it? The Summer Slide is the tendency for children to lose some of the academic gains made during the previous school year. Research has shown that children experience significant learning loss over the summer. This past school year has even been more challenging for all; students, parents, and teachers. We have had a few weeks to catch a break from school. But as we approach the halfway point of summer, parents must not forget about the "summer slide" that can happen to students.

Summer Slide can cause a decline in reading ability and other academic skills such as math that can occur over the summer months when school is not in session. Not all students are affected by the summer slide, but a large percentage are. It is the responsibility of parents to encourage reading and academics, even during the summer. Here are some tips to keep the Summer Slide away.

Reading: • Have your child read every day for 20

minutes. Children read more when the important adults in their lives are also readers, so pick up a book and read. If your child is an independent reader, you can carve out a time to sit in the same room and read together. This would be an excellent opportunity to relax and read a book together. Maybe make an afternoon snack that can be enjoyed together while reading. Create a daily ritual of reading together. This time allows you to relax and bond with your child. • Stock up on new books! Visit book stores or libraries or even create a book swap with friends to allow them to always have a new book handy to read. It can even be magazines or comic books, anything to get them reading. • Ask questions. Get your child talking about what they are reading. Make sure to ask about the story and characters.

Ask your child's opinion of the book, who their favorite character, and would they recommend it to friends? • Start a Book Club with friends. This is an excellent way for pre-teens and teenagers

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to stay connected over the summer. Have them read the same book with their friends and discuss it. This can even be done virtually over facetime or zoom.

Writing

Reading isn't the only skill at risk of being lost. Writing is a critical skill that is affected by Summer. Writing every day in the summer encourages our kids to share their thoughts, For pre-writers, have them practice their fine motor skills and write their letters and their name. They can use whiteboards, chalkboards, paper, etc.

For beginning writers, have them write a sentence and draw a corresponding picture. You could ask them to describe what they saw on a trip or vacation or outing. Ensure that they focus on using capitals, finger spaces, punctuation, and sounding out their words.

For older children that are independent

writers, there are a few more ideas. You could have keep a journal or create a comic book. They could also get community service hours and write thank-you notes to soldiers or create birthday and holiday cards for homebound seniors. Check out Rales Jewish Family Services

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community service project that is great way for pre-teens and teens to earn community services hours. Make holiday and birthday cards for local seniors. It really cheers them up and brings a smile to their face! Cards will be distributed during various JFS holiday food deliveries and on seniors' birthdays. Earn one hour of community service for every five cards you make! For additional information, visit: http://ralesjfs.org/cardmaking

Math

Math is everywhere! • When you go to the store use cash instead of your card and have your child count the change. • Have your child count their snack, one goldfish, two goldfish. • When you are shopping for groceries - count fruits and vegetables. • When you are driving around town, count different objects or read ut numbers on son. • When baking together, this is an excellent

opportunity to teach fractions. • Older children should focus on learning their multiplication facts and being able to memorize those. Flash cards and grade appropriate workbooks are helpful with practicing. • Soduku puzzles are another great way to get your child to use their critical thinking.

Spending just a little time each day will hopefully keep the Summer Slide away!