Summer holidays are finally here. Many children are more than excited to trade their books for their swimsuits (yes even in the British summer). But you may have heard or experienced children having a setback or regress in academic skills or knowledge during the summer break.
Studies show that kids who do not participate in educational activities during summer holidays can lose up to three months of progress in reading and math skills.
What!?! Sure, if children are just learning through formal teaching this might be the case, but not if we are giving children hands on learning experiences.
So how can we ensure children do not regress?
The good news is that preventing summer regression is relatively simple. First of all, let’s put the tablets away, limit screen time, and encourage activities like:
- reading
- keeping a journal
- play traditional games
- continue with hobbies such as gardening, cooking, art, music
- visit museums, the library, cultural events, community events and science centres
- and get them to help out with daily chores and routines.
These activities offer great opportunities for kids to stay sharp while having fun with friends and family.
My boys have signed up to the Ready, Steady, Read challenge at our local library which is a great incentive to get everyone reading during the summer break. We are book worms in our house and the boys are ready to collect their medals from the library. They have loved keeping track of their reading and we will continue with our summer reading tracker. I have shared a free copy for you.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that the summer holidays should be a time for relaxation and rejuvenation, but also for growth and learning. Remember that children are always learning! By being mindful of their environment we can still set them up for academic success.
Have a great summer!
Try our Summer Creative Curriculum for some fun learning!