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How to Beat the Summer Slide
BY HALEY HALLIS, ENRICHMENT THERAPY & LEARNING CENTER
Summer is almost here (that’s right, winter is finally over.
FINALLY!) and, for many, that means new schedules, less
routine, and taking a break from schooling. Kids often
regress academically by up to two months during the summer
months. This is known as the “Summer Slide.” As parents, you
may already be a pro at incorporating learning into your child’s
everyday life, but with a new schedule and plans for some fun
in the sun, that learning can often get pushed aside. Once the
weather is warm and children have more free time, it suddenly
can become nearly impossible to get children to work on formal
academics.
Here are eight tips to help promote learning in a fun and easy
way (sunscreen not included!):
• Join a Summer Reading Program. Most public libraries
and bookstores have incentive programs to encourage children
of all ages to keep reading throughout the summer. While you’re
registering, check out some new genres of books. Many kids get
stuck in a reading rut, so look up some recommended book
lists and choose something unique!
• Try a new recipe! Practice measurement and direction-
following skills while spending some time together in the
kitchen. An added bonus? Kids are learning valuable
life skills and might be able to start making their own
breakfast or lunch, which means you get more time
to tackle your to-do list.
• Listen to audio books. Going on a long
road trip? Instead of turning on some music, try
listening to an audio book. Engage your child
by asking questions about the story, such as
what they think will happen next or what
their favorite part is. Did you know you
can check out audio books for free from
your local library?
• Start a journal. Encourage writing throughout the sum-
mer by providing a notebook for your child to jot down their
thoughts or to keep track of each day’s highlights. As a way
to connect with your kids more, turn it into a journal that you
can both write back and forth in. One day you write a letter
to your child, give them the notebook, and the next day they
write back to you.
• Enroll your child in a summer academic program. There
are so many amazing group programs for kids to encourage
learning during the summer. Here, at ETLC, we’re offering pro-
grams for all ages in reading, math, and social skills. For more in-
formation, visit our website at .
• Manage screen time. Let’s face it. Screens are a part of our
daily lives, and it’s no different for our children. The American
Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting screen time to
one to two hours or less per day. To make the screen time more
worthwhile, download some academic apps and let your child
choose which ones they’d like to try.
• Have a lemonade stand! There are so many skills a child
can practice by putting together a lemonade stand. They can
practice measurement while making the lemonade, and money
skills are developed as they give change and count their earn-
ings. But, shhh! Don’t tell the kids they’re learning. They won’t
even notice!
• Help your child prepare for their return to academics.
Before we know it, summer will be coming to a close and our
Memorial Day memories will fade, so be sure to make a plan for
your child’s academics this fall. There are so many alternative
schooling options out there, and it’s important to find the right
fit for your child.
Enjoy the warmth and sunshine this summer with your family.
When you think about it, there are many ways to sneak learning
into our daily summertime activities.
Haley Hall is a learning specialist and LEAP instructor at Enrichment Therapy and
Learning Center, P.C. in Urbandale, Iowa. The LEAP pro-
gram is a non-accredited small-group
classroom program. Haley enjoys
teaching and helping stu-
dents achieve academic
success!