Ever heard of the summer slide? It’s not a rollercoaster – though it does often include a sudden drop! The summer slide refers to the two months out of the classroom that cause kids to lose some of the reading and math skills they worked all year to learn. When they return to school, they must re-learn those skills before they can begin to take on more.
As parents approach summer break, many are thinking about the family vacation, trips to the pool, how to keep children engaged in activities at home, the abrupt changes to everyone’s schedule—and how to juggle it all. What they might not be focusing on is how much educational ground their children could lose during our two-month break from La Paloma Academy.
Just as a friendly reminder, we wanted to let you know it doesn’t have to cost much to keep your child’s mind active and occupied during the summer break. Turn a trip to the grocery into an impromptu reading and math lesson. An afternoon in the kitchen demonstrates fractions and science. Check your local library for free summer programs and kids’ activities, as well as borrowing books and computer time.
There’s one more thing you can do that’s simple and timeless but can be tough on parents as well: Turn off the TV.
If it’s not too hot outside, encourage children to go outdoors. Something as simple as a breath of fresh air can stimulate senses and reverse summer brain drain. Plan “homework” sessions even during summer break, and have your children try to do the crossword out of the local newspaper or have them read out loud before bedtime.
Whatever our La Paloma families decide to do over our break, we hope you enjoy and keep working hard to maintain what you learned this year. Be proud of your students’ accomplishments, and prepare them to achieve new ones next year.
