Make sure your student doesn’t go down the summer slide, learn why and how by reading this fantastic article.

This Summer Slide is No Walk in the Park

by Jennifer Harris on behalf of the Colorado Afterschool Partnership (CAP)

As the final school bells ring, the mark of another summer begins. Youth are eager for the break from their studies and the opportunity to spend days soaking up the sun and the beauty of the Colorado outdoors. There is also excitement and anticipation to explore new opportunities that it seems like only summer can offer. Though idyllic images of summer might be what come to the minds of many, this is not the reality for all youth.

Summer can be a challenging time for youth. In many cases the days can seem long and opportunities of things to do amount to no more than hanging out with friends and the allure of screen time. There is however one thing that awaits every youth during the summer that many people may not even be aware of. It is called the “summer slide” and it describes what happens when the minds of youth stay idle during the summer months. Without learning opportunities, youth – especially those from low-income families – can lose two months or more of grade level equivalency in math and reading skills over the summer months. The effects of this “summer slide” are cumulative, and significantly contribute to the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income children. You combine this loss summer after summer and how is a youth expected to ever get caught up?

The good news is that there are many things we can do to stem the losses, and even accelerate learning and engagement during the summer months. The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) is dedicated to connecting and equipping schools, summer program providers, communities, and families to deliver high-quality summer learning opportunities and help close the achievement gap and support healthy development. Stakeholders all around the country celebrate Summer Learning Day on June 20th, a national annual advocacy day to highlight the importance of high-quality summer learning programs. This year, hundreds of events, big and small, are slated to celebrate summer learning across the nation. To find Summer Learning Day events close to you or if you’re hosting an event, make sure you put it on the map. Advocacy and awareness should not be limited to just this day, so check out the “Ways to Celebrate” webpage to learn how you can spread awareness any day throughout the summer.

If you are parent looking for resources to help curb the summer slide for your child, visit NSLA’s Family Resource webpage. Whether it is about helping your child stay active and healthy, exploring screen time alternatives or even how to incorporate learning into routine daily tasks, there are many ideas to share.

If you are a youth trying to stop the “brain drain”, here are just some ideas to get you started:

• Check out your library - Finally the chance to pick interesting reading materials and enjoy books outside of the pressure of the classroom! You might even consider getting involved in a summer reading program. This year’s statewide theme is all about STEM or science, technology, engineering or math! Did you know that many libraries are not all JUST about books? In many communities, libraries are offering classes in music, art, science, technology and more to engage all learners. Check with your local library to learn more about their offerings!
• Volunteer in your community – What fires you up? What issues do you care about? What would you like to change to make your community better? Volunteering in your community provides a chance to make a difference in your community while developing new skills and reinforcing skills that you have been taught in school.
• Get outdoors – Did you know that youth lose more than academic knowledge over the summer? Most youth—particularly those at high risk of obesity—gain weight more rapidly when they are out of school during summer break than at any other time of the year. Take a hike, pick up a ball, or go swimming in your local rec center pool. Whatever you do, pull yourself off of the coach or away from a screen and get active!
• Get tech smart – Chances are some of your summer days will involve a smartphone, tablet, or other device. Now more than ever, you can use these powerful tools to help create brand-new experiences. Check out Common Sense Media Summer Learning Guide for some of the best apps, games, and websites for learning while doing this summer.

To succeed in school and life, youth need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. This is especially true during the summer months. Let’s make this summer the best one yet by doing our part to combat summer learning loss and sending youth back to school ready to learn.