Ask any teacher in the fall about the skill level of the children entering their class. You will likely get an earful about how they are not prepared for their current grade. They may secretly blame the previous year’s teacher, but most likely the problem has nothing to do with how many skills the children learned in the lower grade. The problem is how many skills children lose during the summer. It is a phenomenon called “Summer Slump,” “Summer Slide,” “Summer Regression,” or “Summer Learning Loss.” Whatever term you use, there are mountains of evidence showing that children not engaged in academic pursuits during the summer time lose valuable skills. The typical 3rd grader entering class in the fall is less capable in reading, writing, and math than the typical exiting 2nd grader.
Summer Learning Loss can be Avoided
Education experts attribute summer learning loss to lack of educational opportunities. John Hopkins School of Education recommends changing summer school programs from a punitive and/or remedial model to one that includes enrichment and skill building.
Children involved in enrichment programs experience less summer loss than those left to entertain themselves, or those who play all day, every day. Of course, enrichment programs require some investment from the parents. This investment explains why summer learning loss is more significant in children living in poverty. Many children in more affluent homes actually have a slight increase in reading scores. However, even children from homes not struggling financially experience summer slide with math.
Summer Learning Loss in Math Affects All Demographics
Many families provide books for their children to read for their leisure during the summer, but neglect to provide fun mathematical opportunities. During the summer, the majority of students lose math skills equivalent to two months of instruction. Math teachers must spend 3 to 6 weeks in the beginning of the school year re-teaching math skills the children learned the previous spring - a luxury many no longer have in our ever-demanding push to have children learn more, quicker.
Don’t Forget about Math!
You might be reading this in despair wondering what you can do. The answer is simple. Provide your child fun ways to engage in math skills throughout the summer months. Children who continue to interact with numbers and math concepts will not experience the same level of summer regression as those who don’t do math over the summer. Some might not experience it at all. It would be great if teachers could simply move on to the next set of math skills in the fall without concern for children who have forgotten some of what they learned the year before.
You might be wondering, though, if your child moves ahead and everyone else moves backward, what will happen to their math instruction in the fall? That is actually a good thing! Students who are at, or above grade level, may find themselves moved to a more advanced track. Children who have been struggling in math may not be as far behind as they were in the spring.
What about Math Workbooks?
Many parents buy their child a workbook and consider the problem solved. These workbooks may get used willingly a few times and then the child usually finds very creative ways to avoid ever touching them again. Can you blame them? When was the last time you willingly used a math workbook during your vacation? At Mathnasium of Parker, math can be fun and incorporated into daily life. Our article, It’s Not Too Early to Make Summer Math Plans gives easy tips for incorporating math fun into the summer routine.
Even if you get your child to do a math workbook, it is usually just reviewing basic arithmetic. Workbooks seldom, if ever, encourage children to use mathematical reasoning or creative thinking. Read our article, Mindset: Encouraging Mathematical Reasoning and Creativity to learn how math should be taught.
Consider a Math Program for Summer Enrichment
A math enrichment course may do more than stop the summer slide in its tracks. An individualized instruction program, like the one at Mathnasium of Parker, will help your child make significant advancements in math skills during the summer months. Imagine the boost to your child’s confidence in the fall when they do well on that first pre-test of the school year. The work they did during the summer will get rewarded with the opportunity to advance to new material. Please read our article about how parents should react to math tests.
Which Summer Enrichment Program Fits my Child Best?
Math enrichment during the summer does not have be drudgery. In fact, the more enjoyable it is, the more your child is going to gain from it. You will want to make sure it fits your child’s pace and level.
Please take a moment to read some of our previous articles about math programs. The Tutor Paradox explains why traditional tutoring often does not significantly change a child’s skills. The second half of Stop the Tears, Arguments & Whining describes the pros and cons of online tutoring, math tutors, and math centers. This graphic shows similar information visually. Parents with children who need challenging material in math might want to read 6 Ways for Accelerated and Advanced Math Students to Get Excited about Math Again. Finally, Summer Camp and Mathnasium discusses how at Mathnasium of Parker we make math fun and have flexible scheduling.
Take the Pledge
Join the growing movement of educators and parents dedicated to eliminating the problem of the “summer slide.” Call us at (303) 840-1184 to schedule a no risk assessment. Be sure to ask about our Early Bird Enrollment discount for summer programs.
This article was written by and owned by Cuttlefish Copywriting. It is copyright protected. Mathnasium of Parker has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should contact Heather at [email protected] before using it.
