Here we are in the middle of summer programing and I, as a parent, still have not fully enrolled my own children in their summer camps.  As they get older, each year it becomes more difficult. When children are younger, they seem to find enjoyment in doing the simplest things, like having a picnic in the park, going to museums, or taking a hiking trip. As, they age, their interests are more specific. Thus, it can appear to be harder to introduce new experiences and learning opportunities. 

As a parent, I think summer is a time for kids to take a break from their demanding academic schedules for more leisurely activities.  In doing so, will students’ academic progress be lost for fun days in the sun?  This has commonly been referred to as “Summer Learning Loss or the Summer Slide.” Basically, summer learning loss is when students return to school from the summer break at a lower academic level than the end of the last school year.

Barbara Dianis, author of Don't Count Me Out! A Guide to Better Grades & Test Scores PreK-12, recommends that during the summer break, half an hour to an hour should be reserved daily for hands on learning opportunities with our kids. She believes this practice will prepare students to perform, at the same rate or higher level when they return to school after the summer. Summer programs present an ideal time for students to reinforce their academic skills, yet, still having plenty of time for other activities of their interest.  Author, Amelia Joselow, Director of Marketing and Outreach of the Green Program Cambridge, claims, the benefits of students having access to a quality summer program include:

It is clear across recent studies that summer is a particularly valuable time for students. Summer break is also a time in which school districts are offering a range of academic opportunities. During the summer of  2022, an estimated 90% of school districts offered summer programs  that included a focus on academic reinforcement. If you’re interested in learning more about effective summer programs, I encourage you to read the following:

I hope you enjoy the summer with your kids and family, but also reserve quality time for yourself.

As an afterschool professional and a working mother of two, I understand and celebrate the importance of Summer Learning Week (July 10-July 14, 2023) from those two perspectives. Summer Learning Week is a project of The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), a national, non-profit organization focused on the powerful impact of one achievable goal: investing in summer learning to help close the achievement gap. The research has already proven that 1) summer learning programs increase access to opportunities, 2) high attendance at summer programs improves scores in math and language arts, and 3) high attendance and consecutive attendance produce academic benefits for students, (McCombs et al., 2020). As a parent, I am thrilled that my children will have new experiences and I want to reinforce that learning at home. Let’s celebrate Summer Learning Week all summer by offering great activities and supporting parents with resources to reinforce learning.

Summer Learning Week 2023 has daily themes; Love of Literacy and Learning, Amazing Arts, Wonders of Wellness, Health and Sports, STEM, and Community and Leadership to encourage fun-filled learning. If you are looking to incorporate these themes, try Mizzen by Mott, a free app with ideas and lesson plans or download the Summer Activity Guide with challenges and activities organized by age group. CASE for Kids also has materials you can borrow from our SMART Zone, a lending library, if you are looking for STEM or literacy resources. Contact Kathy Evans at kevans@hcde-texas.org to learn more.

Support your families by providing resources that will enable them to engage their children in fun summer learning. The National Summer Learning Association offers extra  activities for families on the SLW themes on their site, as well as access to Discover Summer, an online resource that offers resources to keep kids learning, safe and healthy during the summer months. Together, afterschool professionals and parents can make summer a space for greater achievement and potential for all children.

References

McCombs, J. S., Augustine, C. H., Pane, J. F., & Schweig, J. (2020). Every Summer Counts: A Longitudinal Analysis of Outcomes from the National Summer Learning Project. Wallace.