On average students lose as much as 20 percent of academic ground during the summer. This summer slide means many students will be starting the school year with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of summer break.
James Lyddane, director of elementary education in the Office of Teaching and Learning for Daviess County Public Schools, said they absolutely see a decline in student’s knowledge from May to August.
He said the biggest way to combat this issue is to not stop learning.
“Learning can be little kids counting, naming colors or just playing games and being really engaged,” he said. “But reading is a big one. If a parent reads to or with a child for 20 minutes a night — that is a huge way to keep that learning gap from developing.”
Lyddane said the key is reading.
“Learning needs to be fun,” he said. “Don’t read uninteresting things, learn about something exciting to you.”
He said the biggest thing is making sure the kids get back on track once they are in the classroom.
“We want to build enthusiasm and get them learning again no matter how disengaged they were over the summer,” he said. “Some kids don’t miss a beat, some didn’t think about anything over the break.”
Elementary school children are the most likely to have learning loss because they are at a crucial stage in their mental development.
Shannon Sandefur, community engagement manager at the Daviess County Public Library, said the learning loss that occurs during the summer is cumulative so by the time a child reaches middle school, the loss can be equivalent to approximately two years.
“To help prevent the summer slide, the library offers the summer reading program every year which encourages children to read throughout the summer,” she said. “We focus on reading for enjoyment so children are allowed to read anything over the summer. It’s important for us to focus on the enjoyment factor so they will become a lifelong reader and learner.”
In addition to the reading aspect of the program, the DCPL offers weekly events throughout the summer to encourage children and families to come to the library. New this year are rewards for children who read and participate in library and community events.
Other tips to beat the summer slide:
Engage in conversation with your kids
Read aloud with your children daily
Explore a new hobby
Listen to audiobooks while riding in the car
Review skills with fun, hands-on activities
