Summer is a time for sunshine, playdates, and popsicles—but did you know it can also be a time when young students forget key skills they worked hard to learn during the school year?
It’s called “summer slide,” and it affects thousands of elementary school students every year. Research shows that students can lose up to two months of math and reading skills over the summer if they don’t engage in regular learning activities. By the time fall rolls around, many children return to school already behind where they left off.
In fact, teachers often spend the first 4–6 weeks of the new school year re-teaching foundational concepts that students have forgotten—taking away valuable time that could be spent learning new material and building on past progress.
What Is “Summer Slide”?
“Summer slide” refers to the learning loss that occurs when students are away from the classroom for extended periods without consistent academic engagement. For primary school students, this can mean forgetting how to decode new words, struggling with basic math facts, or losing the focus and structure that school provides.
If this loss continues year after year, it can add up—making it harder for children to keep up with their peers and meet academic benchmarks.
How to Beat the Summer Slide
The good news? The summer slide is completely preventable—with the right activities and support. Here are a few ways families can turn summer into a season of progress:
1. Enroll in a Summer Learning Program
ELA (English Language Arts) and Math programs can do more than review old material. The most effective ones give students a head start by introducing concepts from the upcoming school year in a fun, engaging way. By September, your child can walk into their new classroom feeling confident and prepared.
2. Set a Daily Learning Routine
Even 20–30 minutes of reading or math practice a day can make a huge difference. Encourage your child to read books at their level, solve puzzles, or write short stories to keep their minds active.
3. Make Learning Fun and Hands-On
Use everyday activities to reinforce learning. Count ingredients while baking, measure distances on a walk, or play word games in the car. Real-life learning sticks!
4. Keep Skills Sharp with Educational Apps and Games
There are countless kid-friendly apps that turn math facts and reading practice into fun challenges. A little screen time can go a long way—if it’s the right kind.
3 Hands-On ELA & Math Projects to Try at Home
Aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), these simple projects are designed to reinforce key skills while keeping young minds curious and active this summer.
1. “My Summer Journal” – Writing & Reading
Have your child create a journal to document their summer adventures—whether it’s a day at the park or helping in the kitchen. Encourage them to use full sentences, add details, and include drawings. For older primary students, introduce transition words and paragraph structure.
Skill Focus: Narrative writing, sequencing, vocabulary development
2. “Backyard Math Hunt” – Measurement & Geometry
Take learning outside! Give your child a list of items to measure and categorize—leaves, sticks, rocks, etc.—using rulers or measuring tape. Then have them sort the items by length, shape, or type and create simple bar graphs to represent the data.
Skill Focus: Measurement, data representation, shape recognition
3. “Build a Budget” – Real-World Word Problems
Give your child a pretend budget of $20 to “plan” a small party or picnic. Have them look up real prices (snacks, decorations, etc.) and add, subtract, or multiply to stay within the budget. They can even make a visual presentation or menu!
Skill Focus: Operations & algebraic thinking, place value, real-world application
Let This Summer Be a Leap Forward
Instead of letting the summer slide slow your child down, make this the summer they leap ahead. Our students don’t just stay sharp—they return to school stronger than ever.
Spots fill fast! Contact us today to learn more about our Summer ELA & Math Programs.