How to prevent summer learning loss (and still have fun)
© 2022 – 2022 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved
Studies advise we tin can preclude summer learning loss by engaging kids in summertime reading, math games, and easily-on STEM activities. Just the benefits depend on making certain kids are truly stimulated — and having fun!
Hither are the details, and tips for creating a rewarding, playful, educational summertime.
What is summertime learning loss?
Some telephone call information technology "summertime learning loss," others call it the "summer slide."
Either manner, the idea is the aforementioned: Without regular practice, new skills and knowledge fade. And so many school kids experience reversals over the extended summer suspension.
The phenomenon has been documented in a number of countries, including Austria, Germany, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Paechter et al 2015; Meyer et al 2015; Jesson et al 2014; Shinwell and Defeyter 2017).
How much learning is lost?
Studies suggest that kids may lose anywhere from 25-50% of their schoolhouse-twelvemonth gains in mathematics (Paechter et al 2015; Thum and Hauser 2015; Cooper et al 1996).
Put another manner, the boilerplate child may lose over ii months' worth of mathematical noesis over the summer.
Children can backtrack in language skills, too — including reading, writing, and spelling (Thum and Hauser 2015; Burgin and Hughes 2008; Shinwell and Defeyter 2017)
But overall, losses in reading ability tend to be less dramatic than losses in mathematical ability.
Why? It's probably a reflection of the "employ it or lose it" phenomenon. During the summer, kids are more likely to continue reading — at least a little. They are less probable to practise their mathematical skills.
Then how do we prevent summer learning loss? How do we stop summer slide?
Some researchers suggest that we brand major changes in our schools. They propose lengthening the school twelvemonth, or replacing the long, summertime hiatus with several shorter vacation periods distributed throughout the year.
Only we don't take to wait for such changes to help our children. Nor do nosotros take to turn the summertime into a fourth dimension of regimented, structured learning sessions.
Here are some suggestions for making the most of the summer — without sacrificing summertime fun.
6 evidence-based tips to prevent summer learning loss
1. Get started on a summer reading plan, and brand sure your child is reading books that are both interesting and challenging.
Summer reading is important, but it doesn't e'er boost skills.
For example, in ane report, a summer reading program failed to accept any issue on children's literacy skills. Why? The children who participated got to choose their own books, and they consistently chose books that were too like shooting fish in a barrel for them (Kim and Guryan 2010).
And so when selecting books, information technology'due south crucial to brand sure you're child is excited by the content. Merely you also want reading material that volition stretch your kid's skills — introduce some new words and ideas.
Demand help finding the right stuff? Visit your local library and talk with the children's librarian.
2. Gear up aside some time to review mathematics concepts.
It'south unlikely that most kids volition spontaneously practise the sorts of skills that will preclude learning loss in mathematics. And practice really matters. But don't yous have to hold daily lessons, or turn the summer into a deadening serial of drills.
Studies bear witness that learners can improve long-term retention when they space practice over multiple days. For case, in recent experiments on adults, people who were asked to recollect a set up of facts for 35 days benefited most when they held review sessions every eleven days (Cepeda et al 2008).
This doesn't hateful that kids shouldn't practice their math skills more oft. Merely it suggests that kids can retain specific math facts over the summer without resorting to daily sessions.
What about motivation? Here, we have the help of software developers. In that location are a number of educational computer games and apps that make practice fun.
For instance, opens in a new windowDragonBox Numbers helps children aged iv-8 develop an intuitive understanding of numbers through game play. opens in a new windowDragonBox Algebra five+ is aimed at children v and upward, and "secretly" teaches children algebra concepts. Apps for more than advanced students, like opens in a new windowDragonBox Algebra 12+ are also available.
In add-on, endeavor the gratis app, opens in a new windowBedtime Math. Information technology was tested by researchers, and found to exist helpful when used past families on an everyday basis (Berkowitz et al 2016).
three. Play "unplugged" number games to help kids sharpen their math skills.
Research indicates that young children tin improve their intuitive understanding of numbers by playing certain board games. And such intuitions really matter: When kids lack a strong grasp of "how much" different numbers actually represent, they perform more poorly in school (Mazzococo 2011). You can read more about information technology (and become instructions for making your own game) opens in a new windowhere.
In addition, immature school children can practice their basic addition and subtraction facts by playing the simple — only first-class — board game, "Sum Swamp." The game is a race, with players rolling dice and performing quick calculations to determine the number of spaces they must move. Yous can check the current price by clicking opens in a new window here to view the Sum Swamp game on Amazon.
Finally, I've constitute a number of books for children that help kids visualize mathematical concepts, and some include instructions for mathematical activities and games. See my recommendations in this opens in a new windowParenting Science guide.
4. Develop spatial skills through spatial rotation games and construction play
Experiments demonstrate that we tin can hone strong spatial skills through practice, and amend spatial reasoning leads to enhanced performance in math and science.
For case, when immature school children were asked to practice mental rotation tasks – tasks that required them to predict how 2 geometrical shapes would look when stuck together – these kids went on to testify improvements in their power to solve bones algebra bug (Cheng and Mix 2012).
For ideas on how to encourage spatial play, see my show-based manufactures almost opens in a new windowtangrams, opens in a new windowblocks, and opens in a new windowother activities for boosting a child's spatial skills.
5. Take trips to museums, zoos, and nature sites. Simply don't simply attend. Assist children enjoy easily-on experiences, and engage in family conversations.
Kids learn more from museum experiences when they appoint in hands-on activities. They also do good when parents enquire them to interpret what they meet.
For example, in one study, kids visiting an anthropological exhibit learned more than when their parents asked them open-ended questions near the artifacts they encountered (Jant et al 2014).
What do you think this tool was used for? What do you lot remember it is fabricated of? How do you recollect information technology would feel to sleep on this mat?
In another museum-learning written report, preschoolers showed more spontaneous focus on numbers and counting after their parents had engaged them in playful number talk and counting games (Braham et al 2018). How many dinosaurs are here? Allow'south count together.
And subsequently y'all leave? Help kids consolidate what they've learned by request kids what they retrieve.
As I explicate elsewhere, i of the all-time ways is to encourage children to explain what they have learned. And a recent study reports links between parent-kid conversations and retention: The more kids talked virtually a science lesson with their parents, the more they remembered after on (Leitchman et al 2017).
To learn more nearly the fascinating effects of explaining things to others, read my article, opens in a new window"How kids learn math and science: Stimulate learning past asking kids to explicate."
half dozen. Cull STEM summer camps that emphasize breezy, hands-on learning.
Research suggests that summer camps in Stem (science, engineering science, engineering, and mathematics) can stoke children's interest in Stem fields.
What makes a dandy plan? Hands-on, activity-based STEM activities — like edifice, coding, robotics, or scientific discipline labs — that allow kids to tinker and solve problems themselves. This isn't the time for lectures and passively sitting past. Kids learn past doing (Roberts et al 2018).
To find an informal summertime learning program nigh you lot, wait online, and try contacting local schools, public libraries, museums, and zoos. Tin't beget to pay? Don't assume you'll have to. Ask about free and low-cost programs.
7. Tin't discover an affordable summer campsite? Create your ain.
The nonprofit organization Reading Rockets offers materials for a 5-day DIY program called "River Rangers," which helps kids learn about everything from the formation of rivers, to riverine ecosystems and the management of homo drinking water. You can admission these free materials, and other ideas to battle summer learning loss, opens in a new windowhither.
In add-on, you will observe links to many educational resources in my article, "Suddenly homeschooling? Here's help for getting started."
And if you're looking for ideas for preschool science activities, run into these opens in a new windowParenting Science pages.
viii. Allow kids explore interests that don't fit into the standard, schoolhouse-yr curriculum
This is my personal suggestion, merely information technology's consequent with experiments: Personal marvel is a major driver of learning (Gruber et al 2014).
How many students have been bored by school, then–i lucky twenty-four hour period–they discovered an bookish discipline they were actually passionate about?
Such discoveries can change lives, but many people never brand them. When I was a child, extended summertime breaks were a chance to indulge my curiosity near all sorts of things that never made information technology into the standard schoolhouse curriculum–paleontology, astronomy, rock collecting, the geology of Mars, the search for extraterrestrial life, aboriginal history.
How would I have turned out without these opportunities? I don't know, but I'thousand sure I would take been worse off. And for some kids, these extracurricular investigations lead to big things. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson traces the beginnings of his career to childhood experiences with a telescope.
Looking for some interesting topics? Here are some suggestions:
Animal beliefs. David Attenborough has produced many outstanding educational programs almost animals. These, combined with reading and hands-on activities can assist your child develop a lifelong interest in biology. What to do? Get kids outside, and show them how to locate wild animals. See these Parenting Science tracking activities for more than information, and don't forget to opens in a new windowpermit your child photograph what he or she sees. Nature photography doesn't just help kids document their discoveries. It also encourages them to learn stealth and patience!
Computer programming. Researchers at MIT have developed a visual programming environment called opens in a new windowScratch. It permits kids to learn computer programming concepts — and create coded projects — fifty-fifty before they larn to read. Best of all, it'south gratuitous to use. All y'all need is a computer with an net connection.
Dinosaurs. Run into my opens in a new windowguide to resources about paleontology and dinosaurs for kids.
Space exploration. In additional to finding books on the discipline, check out the local planetarium and opens in a new windowVoyage to the Planets and Beyond (2004) , a fun BBC production that presents realistic (but imaginary) imaginary missions to Mars and other destinations. If you've seen Walking with Dinosaurs, the arroyo is similar. In addition, don't miss NASA's interactive website for kids, including their opens in a new windowpages most Mars.
More ideas. Cheque out my opens in a new windowrecommended children'south books.
References: Summer learning loss
Bell SR and Carrillo Northward. 2007. Characteristics of Effective Summertime Learning Programs in Exercise. New Directions for Youth Development 114: 45-63.
Berkowitz T, Schaeffer MW, Maloney EA, Peterson L, Gregor C, Levine SC, Beilock SL. 2015. Math at home adds upwards to achievement in school. Science 350 (6257): 196-198.
Braham EJ, Libertus ME, McCrink K. 2018. Children's spontaneous focus on number earlier and after guided parent-child interactions in a children's museum. Dev Psychol. 54(viii):1492-1498.
Burgin JS and Hughes GD. 2008. Measuring the Effectiveness of a Summer Literacy Program for Elementary Students Using Writing Samples. Research in the Schools, fifteen(2): 55–64.
Cepeda NJ, Vul E, Rohrer D, Wixted JT, and Pashler H. 2008. Spacing effects in learning: a temporal ridgeline of optimal retentiveness. Psychol Scientific discipline 19(11):1095-102.
Cheng Y-L and Mix KS. 2012. Spatial training improves children's mathematics ability. Periodical of Cognition and Development. Published online alee of impress doi:10.1080/15248372.2012.725186.
Connor CM, Morrison FJ, Fishman B, Crowe EC, Al Otaiba S, and Schatschneider C. 2013. A Longitudinal Cluster-Randomized Controlled Study on the Accumulating Effects of Individualized Literacy Teaching on Students' Reading From First Through Tertiary Grade. Psychology Science. 2022 Jun 19. [Epub alee of impress].
Cooper H, Nye B, Charlton Grand, Lindsay J, and Greathouse S. 1996. The effects of summer vacation on achievement test scores: A narrative and metaanalytic review. Review of Educational Enquiry 66: 227–268.
Jant EA, Haden CA, Uttal DH, Babcock E. 2014. Chat and Object Manipulation Influence Children's Learning in a Museum. Child Dev. 85(five):2029-45.
Jesson R, McNaughton S, and Kolose T. 2014. Investigating the summertime learning event in low SES schools. Australian Journal of Linguistic communication and Literacy. 37(i): 45–54.
Kim JS and Guryan J. 2010. The efficacy of a voluntary summertime volume reading intervention for low-income Latino children from language minority families. Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol 102(one): xx-31.
Kraft MA, and Monti-Nussbaum M. 2017. Can schools enable parents to prevent summertime learning loss? A text messaging field experiment to promote literacy skills. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science [Internet]. 674 (1) :85-112.
Leichtman Medico, Camilleri KA, Pillemer DB, Amato-Wierda CC, Hogan JE, Dongo Dr.. 2017. Talking after schoolhouse: Parents' conversational styles and children's memory for a scientific discipline lesson. J Exp Kid Psychol. 156:i-xv.
Mazzocco MM, Feigenson L, Halberda J. 2011. Impaired Acuity of the Approximate Number Organization Underlies Mathematical Learning Disability (Dyscalculia). Child Dev. 82(4): 1224-12377.
Meyer F, Meissel K, McNaughton Due south. 2015. Patterns of literacy learning in German primary schools over the summer and the influence of home literacy practices. J Res Read 40:1–21.
Paechter M, Luttenberger S, Macher D, Berding F, Papousek I, Weiss EM, and Fink A. 2015. The effects of nine-week summer vacation: losses in mathematics and gains in reading. EURASIA J Math Sci Technol Educ 11(6):1339–413.
Roberts T, Jackson C, Mohr-Schroeder MJ, Bush SB, Maiorca C, Cavalcanti K, Craig Schroeder D, Delaney A, Putnam L, Cremeans C. 2018. Students' perceptions of STEM learning after participating in a summertime informal learning experience. Int J STEM Educ. 5(i):35.
Sandberg Patton KL and Reschly AL. 2013. Using Curriculum-Based Measurement to Examine Summer Learning Loss. Psychology in the Schools 50(7): 738-753
Shinwell J and Defeyter MA. 2017. Investigation of Summer Learning Loss in the UK-Implications for Holiday Social club Provision. Forepart Public Health. 5:270.
Thum YM and Hauser CH. 2015. NWEA 2022 MAP Norms for Student and Schoolhouse Achievement Status and Growth. NWEA Research Report. Portland, OR: NWEA
Content of "Preventing Summertime Learning Loss" last modified half dozen/2019
Image of boys on embankment past opens in a new windowSherif Salama / flickr
Image of girl reading by opens in a new windowTre Nguyen / flickr
image of child in hunter-gatherer shelter at Mitchel Museum exhibit past opens in a new windowocean yamaha / flickr
Image of children playing with shapes by Nicholas Wang /flickr
image of male child with albino alligator past opens in a new windowOlaf Gradin / flickr
Source: https://parentingscience.com/summer-learning-loss/
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