How To Keep Kids Engaged and Beat the Summer Slide

When summer break rolls around, most kids are ready to shut their laptops and step away from the homework. But if you worry the long break might set your child back academically, you may be tempted to swap sunshine for extra study time.

“Summer slide” refers to the learning loss some children experience when school is out for an extended time. The good news? Preventing it doesn’t have to be stressful. A little structure and a lot of fun can go a long way, says pediatric psychologist Emily Mudd, PhD.

Understanding summer learning loss

Summer slide can interfere with kids’ academic progress, especially for those without access to structured enrichment or support at home.

“The research is mixed,” Dr. Mudd explains. “Summer slide could account for about one month of learning loss. But it’s not as prevalent for everyone. It really depends on factors outside many families’ control, like socioeconomic status and access to quality childcare.”

Kids tend to lose more ground in math than in reading. And younger elementary school students may be more likely to be affected by summer slide than older kids.

Still, Dr. Mudd says parents don’t need to panic: “Most schools expect a bit of a reset when kids return, and teachers should meet children where they are the following school year.”

Some kids may fall a little behind, but most catch up quickly once school starts again.

Tips to avoid brain drain over the summer

Keeping your kids’ brains engaged during summer break can help to ward off summer slide. But summer learning doesn’t have to look like school. In fact, it shouldn’t.

“Kids need rest and play, but you can still keep their minds active in low-pressure, fun ways,” Dr. Mudd says.

Here are her top seven tips for avoiding summer slide.

1. Maintain some structure

Children thrive on routine. (Adults do, too.)

A relatively stable summer routine can help them feel safe and give them a sense of normalcy.

“A predictable structure can help support your child’s emotional well-being and learning,” Dr. Mudd encourages.

That doesn’t mean your days have to be monotonous or that you have to live by a strict agenda. But it can help to have some recurring milestones throughout the day. That might include things like:

• A morning walk
• Quiet time for reading after lunch
• A weekly game night

“The most important thing for any child is structure in their day,” she reiterates. “It’s one of the greatest predictors of a child’s well-being.”

2. Read every day

Early reading is critical to your child’s long-term brain development and academic progress. But that doesn’t mean forcing your child to read a novel a day.

“Fifteen minutes of reading a day is great,” suggests Dr. Mudd. “You can read to them, have them read to you or read the same book together as a kind of book club. Make it fun.”

And for kids who need motivation?

“Offer simple rewards, like a movie night, some extra screen time or one-on-one time with a parent,” she recommends. “It doesn’t have to cost anything. What matters most is that it feels special to them.”

3. Turn everyday moments into learning opportunities

Summer learning often brings to mind flashcards and workbooks. But everyday life is full of teachable moments.

“Simple things like having your child help add up grocery prices, read signs during a walk or follow a recipe — those are all learning moments,” Dr. Mudd points out.

Need some other ideas? Try:

• Counting loose change together
• Looking up fun facts about your vacation destination or local park
• Tracking the weather and making simple charts or predictions
• Starting a backyard nature journal — draw and name the bugs, birds or plants you see
• Building something together — like a fort, puzzle or building block structure — and talk through the process
• Watching documentaries on topics they’re interested in, like nature programs or travel shows

“We don’t need to do significant structured learning activities all day long,” Dr. Mudd advocates. “Kids should be enjoying summer, with a little learning thrown in on the side.”

4. Use apps or games with a learning angle

If your child enjoys their screen time (and who doesn’t?), steer them toward some math-based apps or educational games. And use family board games, like cards, Yahtzee® or Monopoly®, to help with math skills, like counting, strategy and probability.

5. Use community resources

Facilities in your area may offer special summer programs for free or at discounted prices. That may include reading programs, STEM activities or camps.

Check:

• Community recreation centers
• Libraries
• Places of worship

6. Don’t forget physical activity and social play

Not all learning is intellectual.

“Outdoor time, exercise and social play are just as important for brain development as academics,” Dr. Mudd says.

Staying active helps form connections in the brain that support learning and emotional health. So, let them run, stretch, play and just be kids.

7. Model learning behavior

You probably know this already, but your kids are parrots. They love to mimic what you do.

Spend hours doomscolling on your phone, and that’s what they’ll want to do, too. Cuddle up with a hot cocoa and a good book, and they just might follow suit.

“Modeling is so important,” Dr. Mudd reinforces. “Our children see what we do and learn from it.”

Bottom line: Don’t stress the summer slide

Learning doesn’t have to end when school lets out. But it also doesn’t have to consume your summer. After a demanding school year full of homework, tests and expectations, your child deserves a mental break. And so do you.

“The bottom line is: Don’t stress too much,” advises Dr. Mudd. “Learning doesn’t only happen at a desk. Do what works for your family. Keep it light and fun, and don’t underestimate the power of reading, routines and play.”

And if you’re ever unsure what your child needs? Ask their teacher. They can help you tailor simple summer goals that fit your child’s needs.