It’s common for students to lose a bit of ground in math over the summer. This is known as the summer learning loss or the “summer slide,” and it often makes the transition to a new academic year more difficult than it needs to be.
But challenges are just opportunities in disguise!
Summer break is also an opportunity to strengthen skills, build confidence, and even transform a student’s relationship with a subject – in this case, math – before classes resume.
Read on to discover effective strategies that can help your child start the school year feeling confident, capable, and ready to excel.
Meet the Top-Rated Math Tutors in Litchfield Park & Goodyear, AZ
The summer slide refers to the loss of academic skills that occurs when students go months without regular practice.
Math is especially vulnerable—research shows that students in grades 3 to 5 lose about 27% of their school-year math gains. The impact deepens over time, as another study found that 84% of students between 5th and 6th grade experience summer learning loss in math.
But why does math seem to slip away so much faster than other subjects?
Math skills—whether it’s multiplication fluency, algebraic reasoning, or problem-solving—fade quickly without practice. Unlike reading, which children may naturally maintain through books, conversations, and daily life, math concepts require structured reinforcement to stay sharp.
So, what does this mean for your child?
The summer slide isn’t just a statistic—it’s more like a wake-up call. Left unchecked, it can widen gaps and erode confidence, turning the back-to-school transition into an unnecessary struggle.
You May Also Like: How to Support Your Child's Math Homework
Summer doesn’t have to be just about holding steady—it can be a golden window to address gaps from the previous grade and even transform how your child thinks and feels about math.
Without the daily pressures of tests or the need to keep up with peers, students have the freedom to engage with math on their own terms, at their own pace. This stress-free environment allows them to truly explore concepts, ask questions, and build understanding, reframing their experience and relationship with the subject.
Summer is also the time to strengthen those math foundations.
Think about where your child faced hurdles last year—this is a chance to bridge those gaps and set them up for success in the next grade.
For example, a student who had trouble with decimals in 4th grade can take advantage of the summer to gain confidence in the topic and pave the way for a smoother transition into 5th-grade math. Instead of feeling behind, they’ll enter the new school year ready and self-assured.
Summer is an opportunity to redefine a student’s relationship with math.
Not every child needs a full tutoring program over the summer. In fact, for many, simple at-home strategies can keep their math skills fresh without adding pressure.
If you’re looking for low-cost, accessible ways to support your child’s learning, there are a few options to consider.
For kids who resist traditional practice, interactive math games and apps can be a great way to sneak in extra math time.
Turning problem-solving into a challenge helps sharpen skills in a way that feels more like fun than work. The best part? Since it doesn’t feel like school, there’s usually less pushback.
That said, while games and apps are great for engagement, they don’t always go deep enough to build lasting understanding.
A child struggling with fractions may enjoy an app that touches on the topic, but without real guidance, they may not develop the skills they need.
That’s why it may be best to think of these tools as a supplement rather than the primary approach for students who need extra support.
Math games offer a fun and relaxing way to stay connected with math over the summer.
Math doesn’t have to stay on a worksheet—it’s everywhere.
Everyday experiences—like measuring for a recipe, budgeting a small project, or figuring out travel times—can weave math into your child’s summer naturally.
The only downside is that real-world math doesn’t always provide focused practice on trickier topics like algebra or word problems.
It’s a great way to keep kids thinking mathematically, but for those who need extra reinforcement, a more structured approach may still be necessary.
Grade-level workbooks and free online resources offer a straightforward way for students to review what they’ve learned and even preview next year’s material.
Whether it’s brushing up on multiplication facts or working through algebra problems, a little extra practice over the summer can help students feel more confident heading into a new school year.
Online platforms add the benefit of instant feedback, which can be helpful for kids working on their own.
The challenge? Many kids see math worksheets as “extra homework” and push back against them—especially when school isn’t in session. Parents might need to step in now and then to keep kids motivated or make sure they’re not rushing through just to be done.
Keeping practice short—maybe 15 to 20 minutes a day—can go a long way without making it feel like a chore.
For some students, DIY math practice is enough to keep skills fresh. But others benefit from learning with a tutor or in a group setting, where they can ask questions, get explanations, and work through problems with guidance.
Whether it’s one-on-one help or a community-based program, there are several ways to add extra support over the summer.
Hiring a private tutor—whether a math-savvy neighbor, a college student, or a professional educator—can give students the direct support they need.
Sessions can focus on specific problem areas, moving at a pace that works best for the student. For kids who need more time with certain concepts, one-on-one attention can make a real difference in understanding and confidence.
The quality of instruction can also vary depending on the tutor’s experience and approach. And while private tutoring can be effective for reviewing specific concepts, it often focuses on immediate needs rather than building a comprehensive, long-term understanding of math.
Many local libraries, community centers, and nonprofits offer free or low-cost summer math workshops. Programs such as these can help children reinforce their skills in a collaborative setting and therefore add a social spark to their learning.
The main limitation is that group settings don’t always allow for much individual attention. Instructors may not have the time to address specific needs, and students struggling with certain topics might not get the extra support required.
Availability also depends on location—some areas have plenty of options, while others may offer fewer resources.
Libraries, community centers, and nonprofits provide free or affordable summer math workshops.
If you’re looking for a well-rounded summer learning experience, Mathnasium offers more than just practice—it provides a structured, engaging way to strengthen math skills and transform how students feel about math.
As a math-only learning center operating nationwide, Mathnasium works with K-12 students of all skill levels, whether they need to catch up, keep up, or get ahead in math.
Unlike generic review methods or passive online tools, Mathnasium is built around the Mathnasium Method™—our proprietary approach that combines personalized learning plans with interactive teaching techniques to make math make sense.
More than just filling gaps, Mathnasium helps students build a deeper understanding of math concepts and is dedicated to making learning feel approachable and even enjoyable.
Without the pressure of grades or classroom competition, students have the freedom to explore math on their own terms, growing their interest, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills along the way.
Mathnasium’s supportive and engaging group environment fosters critical thinking and a lasting understanding of math, turning frustration into enthusiasm. By the time summer ends, students return to school with greater confidence and stronger skills, ready to take on new challenges.
At Mathnasium of Litchfield Park & Goodyear, we proudly serve families throughout Litchfield Park and Goodyear, AZ, offering a Summer Math Program designed to spark a love for math, strengthen foundational skills, and prepare students for success in the upcoming school year and beyond.
Each student approaches learning differently, and summer offers a unique chance to meet them where they are. The key isn’t just finding an activity but choosing one that fits your child’s learning style, motivation, and long-term goals.
Start with a simple reflection:
How did math feel for your child this past school year?
Were there topics that caused frustration? Did they breeze through lessons but crave more challenges?
Were they confident in class or hesitant to raise their hand?
The answers can reveal whether they need reinforcement, a confidence boost, or an opportunity to push ahead.
Beyond skill level, consider what keeps them engaged. Some students enjoy the freedom of working through problems on their own, while others need a more structured setting.
A child who thrives in a social environment may respond well to group learning, while one who benefits from step-by-step guidance might need a more personalized approach.
It’s also worth thinking about what will set them up for success in the fall. Summer isn’t just about maintaining knowledge—it’s about ensuring they walk into the new school year feeling prepared.
Whether that means casual math activities at home, group learning for motivation, or structured instruction like Mathnasium’s for deeper understanding, the best choice is the one that keeps them moving forward with confidence.
Mathnasium helps students catch up, keep up, or get a jump on the math challenges of the new school year.
Mathnasium of Litchfield Park & Goodyear is a premier math-only learning center in the Palm Valley Marketplace in Goodyear, AZ. We provide personalized instruction to students of all skill levels year-round, with special Summer Programs that provide a structured yet engaging way to strengthen math skills over the break.
At Mathnasium, each student’s journey begins with a diagnostic assessment to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement. From there, we create personalized learning plans that address each student’s unique needs—whether that means preventing the summer slide, reviewing challenging topics, or getting a head start on next year’s material.
With a personalized learning plan, students work on targeted concepts to build confidence, close knowledge gaps, and get ahead for the next school year—all in a stress-free, supportive environment.
Whether your child needs to catch up, keep up, or get ahead, schedule a free assessment and enroll at Mathnasium of Litchfield Park & Goodyear today.
Schedule a Free Assessment at Mathnasium of Litchfield Park & Goodyear
(623) 213-8653
(623) 213-8653
