Summer Learning

The Importance of Summer Learning

After the school year has ended most kids want to play for the summer and forget about the classroom. Ignoring educational opportunities when school is out, however, can have negative consequences resulting in summer learning loss. Finding the right balance of free time and learning time is important to keep children on track during the summer, but it is important to remember that for kids learning should be fun.

Five Action Steps for Summer Learning

As a parent or guardian, there are many steps that you can take during the summer months to keep your student on track. Try presenting these activities to your kids as fun and not as homework, so that they can be learning and developing their brains without even realizing it. Here are five great action steps that you can take to avoid summer learning loss and to promote summer learning.

Stock Up on Learning Materials

Stock up on great resources such as books and reading materials, educational games, flash cards, art supplies, and writing supplies that your child can use right at home. Many libraries carry these resources if you aren’t able to purchase them yourself.

Get Involved in Summer Learning

Plan a family vacation together and teach your child how to read a map and calculate distances. Allow your child to be in charge of his or her own vacation budget.

Calculate Math into the Equation

Engage in math-related activities. This can help build your child’s awareness of the importance of mathematics in their daily lives. Ideas include: making estimations; reading clocks and schedules; and measuring distances or quantities.

Enroll Your Child in an Educational Program

Identify a program that can offer individualized instruction. Programs can meet the needs of students struggling in specific skill areas or looking for enrichment. Positive reinforcement and instant success are crucial for building confidence. KnowledgePoints offers tutoring in Math, Geometry, Algebra, Reading, Writing, Study skills, and SAT/ACT Prep.

Dive into Your Community

Keep your eye out for fun local festivals, art shows, and sporting events to attend. Read and discuss what’s going on in the news or find a new family-friendly movie release.

By implementing these 5 Action Steps for Summer Learning, your child can go back to school in the fall prepared for the lessons and be well ahead of the curve. Plus, your child will enjoy learning during the summer if you make it fun, utilize the resources available in your community, and show enthusiasm for the learning process. Learning shouldn’t stop because summer is here!

The Impacts of Summer Learning Loss

All young people experience learning loss when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. On average, children’s test scores are at least one month lower when they return to school in the fall than scores when they left in the spring. Summer learning loss is more pronounced in math. On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills over the summer months. Teachers spend the first 6-8 weeks of a new school year re-teaching material to students that was lost during the summer months. A summer learning loss of 3 months in the elementary grades becomes a gap of 18 months by the end of 6th grade. By middle school, this is a loss of 2 or more years in reading achievement. So, what can parents do to combat summer learning loss? Take action.

Summer Learning Program Pricing

Get Ready for Algebra and Geometry:

8 Hours / $399

Study Skills (Get Ready to Return to School):

12 Hours / $650

Improve your Writing:

25 Hours (over 3 months) / $400 per month