School’s Out for Summer: Five Ways to Combat Summer Learning Loss
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
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Summer learning loss happens when student forget some of what they learned during the school year. Teachers have worred about it for many years. It can make it harder for students to catch up in the fall, which can widen the achievement gap between students.
To solve this issue, National Heritage Academies (NHA®) has created strong summer learning programs. These programs are made to help all students, especially those who need extra support. Every student enrollmed in a summer learning program gets a Chromebook, so they can use online learning tools for reading and math.
To solve this issue, National Heritage Academies (NHA®) has created strong summer learning programs. These programs are made to help all students, especially those who need extra support. Every student enrollmed in a summer learning program gets a Chromebook, so they can use online learning tools for reading and math.
“If students lose learning over the summer, it takes part of the next school year to relearn it,” said Kim Gray, Curriculum and Instruction Team Lead at NHA. “This means they might miss out on learning new things, and the cycle continues.”
A study in the American Education Research Journal found that 52% of first- through sixth-grade students lost about 39% of what they learned during the school year. But there are many ways families can combat learning loss at home. Here are five easy tips from Gray on to how to prevent summer learning loss:
1. Keep Balance: The school year can be stressful. It’s important to care for your child’s emotions as well as their learning. If a student is feeling upset or stressed, it’s harder for them to learn. Try to keep a healthy balance of rest, fun, and learning.
2. Read Together: Find a fun book and read it together as a family. Reading with each other helps improve vocabulary and understanding. Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with your child and help them enjoy books.
3. Try Audiobooks: If you’re going on vacation or taking a long drive, try audiobooks. Listening helps build the same skills as reading. Your local library may have free audiobooks you can borrow.
4. Try New Experiences: Doing new things helps kids learn new words and ideas. Go on a walk in nature, visit a museum, or try an online field trip. You can explore a butterfly house, see Mars, or visit the Great Wall of China without leaving your home!
5. Play Learning Games: Many games include math, reading, or problem-solving. They’re also great for building social and emotional skills. Playing together can be fun and a great way to learn.
If you're looking for more ways to curb learning loss, check out your local summer school for summer activity ideas. Whether you join a program or just try some of these tips at home, keeping your child learning during summer break is a great way to help them succeed.
“Giving students learning tools for summer is very important,” Gray said. “It helps their brains stay active so they’re ready to grow even more in the next school year.”
