Spring is in the air and soon we'll have summer season coming up before you know it. Summer is a certainly well-anticipated break for students and parents alike, but after the first few weeks of freedom and sunshine, summer becomes a break for something else: the student's brain.

This three month break in most school systems has been proven repeatedly to have a negative impact on the student's learning curve. Education research has given it many nick names, from the “summer slump” to “summer brain drain.” But which ever way you put it, summer learning loss is an issue that seems to be hard to shake. When you consider that teachers spend 4 to 6 weeks reviewing and reteaching material from the year before, summer learning loss becomes even more concerning. That much time sets the year of learning back almost an entire two months. It's not only a problem an individual student faces, but also effects the entire community.

The biggest question when it comes to figuring out a solution is how exactly to get student minds actively learning while keeping that inexplicable joy of summer. Summer reading and math packets mandated by the school district still feel like homework to children. While it's helpful, it doesn't completely solve the issue. There are plenty of workbooks and online programs that would work great, but most students summer summer as a break from learning and can't find the time or motivation to dedicate themselves while their parents are at work.

What's often overlooked are enrichment programs, like JEI, that have summer classes in addition to their regular after school schedule. They are designed to keep the student mind engaged and learning, without putting a damper on their summer. With a flexible schedule packed with both fun and education JEI's summer camp programs may in fact be the solution to the summer slump.

At JEI North Bethesda, we are aware that every child has his or her own learning style. That is why our teaching methods are centered on each individual child’s needs. Our small classroom setting allows our staff to focus on every child’s unique learning style and apply the appropriate teaching methods. Human interaction and empathy are key components of our teaching methods. Our teachers are capable of establishing a unique relationship with every child, by understanding his or her individual needs and desires, as well as by empathizing with the child when he or she comes across learning challenges. This is what differentiates us from conventional teaching institutions which are relying more and more on technological teaching methods. We believe that with the proper guidance and motivation, every child can achieve academic success.

To get more information, please call us at (301) 881-2888.