Summer is a time of escape. Families get a break from the daily demands of homework and extracurricular activities and possibly take a trip (or two).
But the two-month gap from school is never without its challenges. Many parents and caregivers scramble to find activities to fill the day for their children. Another worry is keeping kids engaged to avoid the dreaded summer learning loss.
Research shows the average student can lose up to one-third of the previous years learning gains during the summer. The impact can be even more pronounced for vulnerable children, such as those from high-poverty households. If left unchecked, the National Summer Learning Association reports by fifth grade that summer learning loss can leave low-income students two-and-a-half to three years behind their peers.
Since 2004, City Year Little Rock and its AmeriCorps members have equipped Central Arkansas students with the academic, emotional, and social skills they need to thrive. Even when the school year ends, the education nonprofit is there to support students so they can reach their full potential. That includes providing families with free and fun tips on preventing summer learning loss prevention.
Read, read, read: Reading is critical for children and their continued language development and comprehension skills. During the summer, families can check out books from local libraries or listen and discuss free audiobooks. Parents can even have younger children write books for bedtime reading sessions.
Start journaling: Journaling is a proven way to enhance writing fluency. Parents can encourage this daily habit by using readily available prompts or asking kids to go freeform. Both methods strengthen writing skills and creative thinking.
Look for everyday math: Reading is essential to keep kids on track, but so is math. Caregivers can sharpen math skills with downloadable workbooks and computer games. But they can also leverage real-world activities like counting items around the house, calculating restaurant tips, or adding up money at the grocery store.
Use available resources: There are local student-focused programs, such as the Central Arkansas Library System’s Summer Reading Club and Arkansas PBS’s Rise and Shine. The Arkansas Department of Education also has online materials to help families promote the science of reading at home.
Everyone wants their kids to have fun during the summer. But they also want them to stay on track academically, emotionally, and socially. City Year Little Rock’s tips will help families do both. For more information about the nonprofit and its mission, visit cityyear.org/little-rock.
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