It’s the end of a long, strange school year, and for many students, an especially welcome break.
And while summer break is a good time for students to relax, Ajith Varghese, Director of the Georgetown Huntington Learning Center reminds parents that it is important to use summer as a chance to catch up and avoid the “summer slide.”
“Every year, students lose several months’ worth of reading and math skills over summer break, and the problem is compounded this year because of the ‘COVID-19 slide’ that has occurred during the last year of on-and-off remote learning,” says Mr. Varghese. “More than ever, it is important that parents help their children get back on track if needed and keep their brains working during the time they’re not in school.”
He offers these five tips to help your child stay on top of learning this summer:
1. Get an academic “checkup.”
If you’re unsure where your child stands academically, a checkup is worthwhile. At Huntington, we can give a full academic assessment to pinpoint exactly where your child could use support and where they are succeeding in school. We’ll then develop a personalized learning plan that addresses their weaknesses and nurtures their strengths.
2. Review prior year work.
Your child might resist, but this year is an anomaly, so reviewing work (with the purpose of improving retention) is wise. Try to have your child review saved worksheets or other assignments even just a few minutes a day. That math or English textbook will also come in handy. Even a little effort to retain what was learned throughout the last 9 months will make a difference and help your child remember what they learned when they head back to school in the fall.
3. Adopt a summer reading habit.
Summer is the best time of year to encourage children to activate their love of reading, and best of all, reading is one of the easiest ways to deter learning loss. Set a goal to read at least 2 to 3 books before the beginning of the school year. Have your child share their thoughts and opinions on the books they have read to keep them engaged.
4.Get ahead.
While summer is a good time to close any skill gaps and correct any problems that arose during the school year, it is also a chance for students to get ahead and fortify their strengths. So, if your child is taking any challenging classes next year or wants to solidify knowledge gained last year, summer learning can help them do just that.
5.Follow the interests.
The key to successful summer learning is to get your child consistently doing something that stretches their minds and uses their skills. Follow their lead by suggesting a summer science project, a class at a local community center, or a self-directed research project on a favorite topic.
There are opportunities to learn all around if your child is creative and willing. And when they’re your child’s ideas, that’s even better!
If you’re concerned that your child is struggling and the disruptions of the last year have made things worse, call Huntington. We can give your child an evaluation to determine whether they have any challenges or are missing important building blocks. Contact us at (512) 886 0101 to discuss your child and how we can help.
About Huntington Learning Center of Georgetown
Huntington Learning Center of Georgetown is locally owned and operated, providing services to the Georgetown community. Their specially trained tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary, middle and high school math, Chemistry, and other sciences. They help prepare for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed. Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible.
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