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Advice for ParentsDon't let your kids ride the 'summer slide'
By
Leanna Landsmann
Q: My son's
fourth-grade teacher wants me to put him in the school's summer program. She says
that it will help Terrell do better in fifth grade. He's not a great student,
but he's not failing, so I'm not sure why he should go. Plus, I'd have to drive
him. Is this worth it?
A: Terrell's teacher is worried about what educators
call summer learning loss, or "summer slide." It's what happens when
skills that kids learned during the school year haven't been practiced enough
to "sink in." When these skills aren't used during the lazy days of
summer, they are often forgotten. When fall comes, kids need to relearn them.
That can put them behind their classmates and wastes time reteaching. It's
not a new problem and is why some policymakers advocate for year-round school.
Researcher William White first observed it more than 100 years ago. "Research
shows that most students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in mathematical
computation skills over the summer months. Low-income students also lose more
than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class
peers make slight gains," says Ron Fairchild, executive director of the Center
for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, summerlearning.org. Children
not only lose academic knowledge over the summer, they also gain too much weight.
"Research shows that kids gain weight up to three times faster during the
summer months," says Fairchild, "gaining as much weight during the summer
as they do during the entire school year." Fairchild suggests making
summers a time to practice academic skills in creative ways, whether that means
taking educational trips or enrolling him in a camp or high-quality summer program.
"How your fourth-grade son spends his summer break could have a major
impact on his success in fifth-grade and later on in his development," says
Fairchild. "Elementary students who attend high-quality summer programs experience
a range of benefits, including higher levels of motivation and achievement during
the school year and beyond." High-quality programs also tap into young
people's curiosity, says Fairchild. "They encourage students to explore and
develop skills that interest them." What defines a high-quality program?
Look for engaged, motivated children; hands-on activities; a safe, structured
environment; fun physical activities and sports; and low student-to-staff ratios.
And above all, a passion for teaching and learning. If your school offers
such a program, Fairchild encourages you to enroll Terrell in it. "After
a week or two of vacation, boredom starts to set in if kids don't have structured
activities. Having Terrell participate in program could help you provide him with
a summer to remember -- one filled with time for recreation, creative exploration
and enrichment." Not to mention a smoother take-off in fifth grade. However,
if you choose not to go that route, says Fairchild, "there still are a number
of things that you can do to engage your child and provide enrichment during the
summer months." Fairchild suggests: - Visit the public library
and sign up for summer reading. Set a goal for the number of books he will read
over the summer and provide incentives.
- Take educational trips in your
hometown and to destinations such as parks, museums and science centers.
-
Look for ways to practice math skills daily as part of everyday experiences and
tasks.
- Encourage physical activities and limit television and video-game
time.
To encourage kids to keep active during the summer, Major League
Soccer and Summer Bridge Activities have teamed up with the Center for Summer
Learning to create an "Active Bodies Active Minds" challenge with reading
and fitness goals, as well as events sponsored by MLS teams. Go to: summerbridgeactivities.com/mlshome.html. Do
you have a question about your child's education? E-mail it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com.
Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher.
She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe
best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City. Copyright
2008, United Feature Syndicate, Inc. A-PLUS ADVICE FOR PARENTS 6-16-08 Submission
inquiries? Contact Stacey Pusey at 856-241-7772. | 
