By: Megan Elsea, Learning Specialist

Strategies to Prevent the Summer Slide:

Here are simple, fun ways to sneak learning into everyday summer moments - whether you're cooking, playing outside, traveling, or winding down at bedtime.

In the Kitchen

Practice math skills like fractions through cooking and baking! Cooking and baking provides real-life practice with math skills like fractions, measurements, and time. It's hands-on, engaging, and is a great opportunity to try some new recipes this summer!

While Playing Outside

Outdoor activities that involve movement and play boost both physical and cognitive development. Games using letters and words help reinforce literacy skills in a fun, low-pressure way, while also keeping kids active and engaged. Here are some games and activities to incorperate into your summer routine!

• Write the ABCs in random places using sidewalk chalk and throw a rock/bean bag at each letter, calling out the sounds as you go.
• Use the above ABCs to have kiddos “jump” to the letters to spell easy words.
• Create a scavenger hunt where kiddos have to find objects that start with the letter of the alphabet.
• If you have a trampoline, call out a word and have kiddos “bounce” for each syllable of that word.
• Find a “Little Library” near you using this site and pick out (and leave!) a book: https://littlefreelibrary.org/map/.

During Family Game Night

Board and card games strengthen critical thinking, memory, and language skills. Here are some of our favorite games to play in the clinic!

• Practice cognitive skills:
• Uno
• Spot it!
• Last Letter
• Blink! 
• Explore classics for spelling:
• Scrabble
• Bananagrams

At Bedtime

End the day with reading and conversation to build comprehension and language skills while creating a calming routine.

• Read a book together and discuss the story! When discussing the story, use comprehension questions like:
• Who is the main character in the story? Who are the other characters?
• What problem did the main character face? Have you ever experienced something similar?
• What do you think may happen next in the story?
• Did you like that story? Why or why not?
• Talk about your day-the good, the bad, the plan for tomorrow!

While Traveling

Traveling this summer? No problem! Trips offer a natural opportunity to practice math, reading, and observation skills.

• Before leaving, make a countdown! Practice counting or basic math problems (addition and subtraction) with the days left until your trip! 
• In the car, make a game of finding words or pictures on signs that start with each letter of the alphabet 
• Listen to an audiobook and then answer some comprehension questions! Use questions from above to discuss the story!
• Try and find as many different license plates as possible from the different states.
• At the beach? Practice handwriting in the sand!

The summer slide may be a common concern, but with the right approach, you can help your child maintain and even strengthen their academic skills during the summer months. By incorporating daily reading, hands-on activities, and a little creativity, you can turn the summer break into a time of continued growth and exploration for your child.

How The Learning Center can help

Located in our Lexington-West Clinic, our team of Learning Specialists apply a cognitive approach to learning and offer a personalized plan for your student. From ACT/SAT prep and private tutoring to dyslexia testing and treatment, our team can help to turn summer into a time of growth, confidence-building, and joyful learning!

To learn more about our Learning Center, click here.

If your child could benefit from the Learning Center, contact us to get started! Call (859) 353-3666 extension 105.