After a full academic year, children welcome summer as a relaxing break for fun in the sun. Unfortunately, with that time off comes a back slide in what was learned all year. Whether it’s a tutoring service or educational games at home, parents seek ways to ensure academic retention over the summer. Here are a few tips to keep up with learning.

Ways to Overcome the Summer Learning Slide

1. Local Programs

Parents struggle to find affordable child care in summer, and often, the solution isn’t an academically stimulating environment. When kids aren’t placed in programs that promote education and discovery, they lose math and reading skills quickly. Look into free or low-cost programs at local libraries and parks, which promote literacy as well as interactive games & activities. 

2. Child Care Funding

Applying for child care subsidies, federally funded programs, and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit can help offset costs for education programs that help kids when school is out. These grants are not guaranteed but may be an option for lower-income families whose children tend to see the biggest slide during the summer due to expensive child care programs.

3. Learning at Home

When affordable programs are not an option, learning at home is. Simple things like reading to your children and practicing math skills during everyday tasks remind them of their lessons. When you shop, let them help you figure out tax, change, or even discounts. If you are cooking a new recipe, have them read you the directions. Incorporating their skills into their daily life reinforces what they have learned and makes them apply it to their environment.

4. Vacation Education

Before you embark on a family vacation, have your child research the destination. Take them to the library to find books on the area, have them journal notes on what they’ve learned, and let them help you plot an itinerary. This helps them brush up on reading and writing skills. If you are going somewhere with different currency, let them practice math by helping you figure out the exchange rate.

5. Tutoring Services

Summer tutoring services keep lessons fresh. For a few hours a day, the professional staff at learning centers will take what your child has learned and reinforce it through worksheets, practice games, and other activities. A quality learning center will also prepare your child for the upcoming school year and ensure they are ready to tackle new material.

For quality math tutors, trust Mathnasium of Avon. The Connecticut tutoring service employs The Mathnasium Method™, which has shown successful results for students of all ages in developing their math skills and improving their confidence in school. Their personalized programs target what each student needs to excel and learn skills they’ll keep for a lifetime. For the best math tutor, call (860) 785-6284 or visit their website.