Tips to help your child keep learning over summer break

At the end of a long school year, summer is a welcome break for many students. And while it’s important for students to relax, it is also essential that they avoid the “summer slide.” Every year, students lose several months’ worth of reading and math skills over summer break. Parents can help their children avoid this and keep their brains working during summer. Whether the child needs to get ahead of the next grade’s work or get back on track after ending the school year with poor grades, summer learning can make a big difference.

1. Get an academic “checkup.” If you’re unsure where your child stands academically, a checkup is worthwhile. At Huntington, we can give a full academic evaluation to pinpoint exactly where your child could use support and where they are succeeding in school. We’ll then develop a personalized learning plan that addresses their weaknesses and nurtures their strengths.
2. Get ahead. While summer is a good time to close any skill gaps and correct any problems that arose during the school year, it is also a chance for students to build upon their strengths and get ahead if they’re taking any challenging classes in the upcoming school year. Students can learn at their own pace and with less pressure. They can spend as much time as they need to on a concept or topic during the summer. When they get back to school, they will be confident in their knowledge and ready to make it a great year.
3. Correct any missing skill gaps. Huntington’s academic evaluation shows the skills that students need to improve before progressing to the next grade. Huntington tutors focus on building the skills that your child might be missing or need a refresher on, and only move on once they’ve mastered them. We help students get back to where they need to be academically, so they feel confident and ready to tackle the upcoming school year.
4. Adopt a summer reading habit. Reading is one of the easiest and best ways to deter learning loss. Encourage your child to activate their love of reading by choosing material they want to read. Huntington’s Reading Adventure program launched last month, which offers participants a variety of high-interest book choices by grade level and reading ability. Huntington students and non-Huntington students are welcome. Learn more at https://huntingtonhelps.com/reading-adventure.
5. Review prior year’s work. Your child might resist, but reviewing last year’s material (with the purpose of improving retention) is wise. Try to have your child review saved worksheets or other assignments even just a few minutes a day. Even a little effort to retain what they learned throughout the last school year will make a difference and help your child when they head back to school in the fall.
6. Follow their interests. The key to successful summer learning is to get your child consistently doing something that stretches their mind and uses their skills. Follow your child’s lead. Perhaps a summer science project, a fun class at a local recreation or community center, or a self-directed research project on a favorite topic would get them excited. There are opportunities to learn everywhere. If you can position your suggestions in a way that feels like they’re your child’s ideas, that’s even better!

If your child could use tutoring to get ahead or catch up this summer, call Huntington. We’ll help your child reach any goals and make the most of this summer. Help set your child up for success going forward. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today to discuss our academic assessments and summer learning programs, which are offered in center and online.