Can kids enjoy summer learning benefits as much as they love a break from school?
These 10 summer learning benefits show that summer learning should be an important part of every student’s summer vacation plans.
Kids love summer break. Not having homework to complete at night and not having to get up in the morning to get to class seems like a dream come true. But there comes a point in every summer vacation when students become bored of having nothing to do—even video games can become repetitive and unstimulating after a while.
The Realities of Summer Learning Loss
The reality is that all students experience learning loss during the summer.
Experts refer to this reality as the summer slide or summer brain drain. This learning loss occurs when students do not maintain their academic and cognitive momentum over the summer break. Here’s what we know:
- Students lose the equivalent of one month of learning during the summer vacation source
- Students lose up to 2.6 months of math skills over the summer
- Reading skills decline by about the equivalent of two months
- Summer learning loss can be recognized as early as Grade One
- Teachers spent up to six weeks reviewing past material in the fall to make up for summer learning loss
The good news is that the summer brain drain is completely preventable! Whether your child is in first grade or completing their last year of high school, fun and engaging summer learning programs help students succeed all summer long.
Check out these 10 summer learning benefits you
don’t want your child to miss:
1. Catch Up on Key Skills
Was one school subject this year more challenging than others? Summer is the perfect time to go over those key concepts and practice the skills necessary to turn a challenging subject into an A+ subject.
2. Learn New Skills
Summer is the perfect time to take on learning something new. High school students could take an elective course that they weren’t able to fit into their schedule. Elementary students could work on strengthening reading skills by reading novels, practicing penmanship by learning cursive or by enhancing writing skills with daily journaling.
3. Stay Motivated
Retention and recall are not the only things affected by summer vacation: students’ motivation to learn can also drop. Motivation is like a muscle: action is needed to maintain it. By setting a summer goal (such as a reading or writing goal) and working toward it, students of all ages learn that the effort they put in can lead to results, which is very motivating!
4. Beat Boredom
Following a regular routine is key, even in the summer. Routines provide structure, keep students engaged, and help them develop self-discipline. For many students, school provides both a regular routine as well as social connections that many students miss during the summer months. Summer learning programs provide a reliable connection with others that students of all ages can look forward to. Knowing that there is something to do at a regular time each week keeps children of all ages not only connected to their learning, but also to structured social interactions that can help them beat boredom.
5. Maintain Math Skills
Research into summer learning shows that math skills drop the most in the summer. On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of math learning over the summer. Losing those math skills puts students at a disadvantage when school starts in the fall. Summer learning programs help students beat these odds with regular practice and skill development.
6. Rock at Reading
As reading skills are key to understanding all school subjects, having strong reading skills is a must. Reading proficiency is a major predictor of achievement – the more students read, the better readers they become! Summer is the perfect time to take part in programs that build stronger reading skills and boost reading confidence so that reading skills grow in the summer rather than decline.
7. Get Personal Attention
In a regular classroom during the normal school year, teachers get very few chances to spend one-on-one time with students. From large class sizes to limited class time, many students simply can’t get the individual attention they need. Interacting with a teacher directly can help make learning meaningful for many students and boost their learning motivation. Summer learning is a chance for many students to get the personal attention they need to overcome learning blocks.
8. Build Confidence
Confidence doesn’t always come easily, but it can be developed. When students spend time working on developing their skills and are able to track their progress, it builds their confidence to try new things. Summer programs give students the time they need to develop not only stronger skills but confidence in themselves.
9. Get Ahead
Whether it is reading, math, or writing, summer learning programs are a chance for students of ages and grades to work ahead. For students with a strong interest in a particular subject, summer programs can help take those students to the next level of their skill development.
10. Fun and Flexible
Summer learning isn’t about being stuck in a classroom while the sun is shining. Thanks to online and virtual programs, students can take their learning on the road! GradePower Learning’s Virtual Table™ program is a fun and flexible learning program. Whether it is to the cottage or to a different city, Virtual Table™ allows students to take a tutor with them everywhere they go!
Summer Programs For All Students
Catch up, keep up, and get ahead this summer with a personalized GradePower Learning summer program. With programs customized to your child’s exact learning needs, your child can get a head start on next year’s success this summer. Don’t wait. Find a location and call today!
