Prevent the Summer Slide

Hey parents and teachers! Are you trying to prevent the summer slide?  No, I’m not talking about that fun swirly slide at your local park.

What is the Summer Slide?

According to the NWEA education blog, “It is widely understood that on average students lose academic ground during the summer, a phenomenon frequently referred to as “summer learning loss” or “summer slide.”

Wow.  This is not what we want for our own children or for the students in our classrooms! How do we prevent the summer slide?  The data is not always clear as some studies are quite old and society is constantly changing.  

However, as an elementary educator and a mom of three, I know there are certain things that can help kids keep their brains engaged all summer long!  I am writing a three-part blog series on avoiding the summer slide, so you can do all you can as a parent and as a teacher to help children avoid the summer slide.

Avoiding the Summer Slide

One of my favorite ways to beat the summer heat is to take a trip to the local library.  There is something for every child at the library.  Children can find books about unicorns, superheroes, faraway places, crafts, and more.  They usually offer fun, FREE programs!

As a classroom teacher, one way I worked on summer slide prevention,  was to get my students excited about going to the library.  For many children, that first library card is a chance to feel like a grown-up.  They are being trusted and given a responsibility to care for their books and to return them on time.

Another way you can encourage summer reading is by taking a field trip to the library.  Libraries often have great programs that show students all that is available to them.  Did you know that some librarians will come to you?  One of my favorite librarians would visit my classroom, read stories, and play the guitar.  What a treat!

Additionally, don’t forget to build hype about your summer reading program!  Librarians can also visit your school to talk about what is going on in the summer.

Extend the Story

Bedtime stories are a beautiful way to bond with your children.  In the summer, sometimes we have a little more time, and it can be great to find ways to extend the stories that you are reading.  

Maybe you can find a fun craft or do a science investigation that ties into the story!  Check out my Pinterest board, Books and Activities for Kids, for some ideas to get you started.

While you are on Pinterest, you are also definitely going to want to check out my board, Diverse Children’s Books.  These books are perfect to read year-round!

Make sure to send home a newsletter at the end of the school year highlighting all of the ways that parents can use books to prevent the summer slide!

Build in a Reward

Some kids are very reluctant when it comes to reading in the summertime.  Did you know that Barnes and Noble also has a summer reading program?  After reading a certain amount of books, your child can go in and choose a free book from their options.

One summer, I decided to create an incentive for my own children.  I promised them that if they each read a certain number of books, then the whole family could take a special day trip to an amusement park.  Trust me, I have never seen kids so excited to read!  Is budget a factor? It doesn’t have to be that big of a prize.  The reward could be something much more simple like a museum visit or even something completely free like a pass for no chores for a week.

Model Reading Behaviors

Young children like to imitate what adults do.  If they see you curled up with a good book, they are much more likely to do the same.  Also, reading comes in many forms! You might show your child that you are reading a magazine, a cookbook, or a newspaper. Lead by example!

Set up a Reading Nook

What kid doesn’t love a blanket fort and a flashlight? A fun place designed for reading may be a perfect way to encourage reading and prevent summer slide.  Other fun places to read are on a front porch swing, on a large floor pillow, or even on a blanket in the grass.  Be creative and let your child help!

 According to Proliteracy.org, when looking at “adults with the lowest literacy levels, 43 percent live in poverty.”  Literacy is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child, so make sure you build in time to read every day. 

So here’s a quick recap…

It is important to prevent summer slide by reading with your kids. Here are some fun ways to engage them:

• Visit the library
• Extend a book with crafts or other activities
• Participate in a summer reading program/challenge
• Spend time some of your personal time reading
• Create a fun space for reading

Be sure to stay tuned for my next posts in this series on preventing the summer slide! If you are looking for a way to prevent the summer slide for yourself, as an educator, check out my friend Tina from Teach the TK Way. She is a natural classroom specialist and wrote this awesome post, “5 Ways to Prevent the Summer Slide for Educators.”

Have you had a chance to sign up for my free guide to getting ready for your teaching observation? Let me help you take the stress out of preparing with this guide and checklist!

Talk soon!