Children with learning disabilities are vulnerable to learning loss during the summer without the instructional support they receive throughout the school year. Research shows that in some cases “summer slide” can place students with learning differences as much as three months behind their peers when they return to school in Fall. In particular, kids tend to lose significant knowledge in math and reading over the summer months. Moreover, elementary-age kids are at the highest risk of learning loss because they are in that critical time for learning math and reading skills, skills which are susceptible to learning loss if if not used frequently.
The 2020-2021 school year was not an ordinary year for most kids…and parents. Virtual learning took a toll on our kids, parents, and teachers. So many overwhelmed and frustrated kids and parents are just DONE — done with sitting in front of a screen; done with technical glitches; and done with spotty internet connections.
While summer is a time for students to relax after a long school year, especially after a year of virtual learning, that doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t take steps to prevent learning loss. But “summer slide” is a very real concern for students, especially those with learning differences. So what’s more important — preventing summer slide or your child’s mental health? Ideally, we want to address both. Here are some fun activities to prevent summer learning loss and recharge your kids’ batteries at the same time.
Multi-Sensory Activities
Kids with learning disabilities often respond well to multi-sensory learning, so think of activities they enjoy doing that are active and incorporate as many senses as possible. Then, consider how you could add an educational component to those activities. Here are a few examples:
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Practice spelling sight words by playing a game of “horse” on the basketball court
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Practice fractions by following a recipe for slime or baking some healthy cookies
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Write math facts or letters on index cards and post around the house…then have a nerf gun war
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Use Shopkins, Legos, and other trinkets to help your kids count, sort, and engage in a sensory activity
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Have your kids write out a little play that you will perform together
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Play with shaving cream on a baking sheet and spell words with your fingers
The goal is to find an activity your child enjoys and incorporate a little education into the activity. It need not be anything elaborate or overly educational. We just want our kids to keep their minds used to thinking about words and numbers, etc. so that they don’t lose that skill by staring at the television or their electronic devices all day long.
Read (Including Audio Books)
The importance of reading cannot be overstated. Reading not only promotes language development, it strengthens your child’s brain development. When your child reads, her mind creates connections. They also build their vocabulary and learn about the world around them.
If your child loves to read, bravo! But so many kids with learning disabilities avoid reading like the plague. As the mother of a child with dyslexia, getting my daughter to read a book is a real struggle, so I empathize with parents who have kids who just HATE reading. If your child loves being read to, read to your child or download audio books. Studies have found no significant difference in comprehension between reading and listening. You could also take turns reading with your child (child reads on page, you read the next, etc.). The goal is to get our kids to continue hearing the written word; it reinforces grammar, sentence structure, voice inflection, and vocabulary. So, if your kids refuse to pick up a book and read, audio books can get the job done.
I also try to think of non-traditional ways to get my daughter reading. For example, when we travel I have her look out for certain words on billboards; I have her read the grocery list when we go shopping; and I have her read instructions/recipes for something we are building or baking together.
STEM Projects
Multi-sensory learners love to use their hands! So, why not build something? I love the science and art project crates from KiwiCo. (No, I have not been paid for this recommendation; I just love their products.) They have a crate for every interest in every age category. These are age-appropriate projects with all the necessary materials delivered right to your door every month. This is a great option for parents short on creativity and/or time.
Another great source of at-home STEM project inspiration is 4-H. They have several hands-on summer activities for kids to do at home.
Some other fun activities include tie-dye projects, making friendship bracelets, kid-friendly science experiments, Legos, and making slime. I, like many parents, loathe slime…but my daughter loves it, and it is a great STEM activity. So, I encourage slime-making as an outdoor activity, which makes it perfect for summer! (If you are wondering how to get slime out of fabrics, rubbing alcohol does the trick.)
Have Fun!
Most importantly, summertime should be fun! Especially after a year of online instruction and isolation, mental health is even more important than ever. Many kids with learning disabilities did not fare well during virtual learning and may have suffered blows to their self-esteem and mental health. Summer is the time for healing and getting back into a better state of mind. Take vacations, play with friends, ride bikes, drink water from the hose…whatever you do, just have fun. Kids need to clear their heads and recharge their batteries this summer after a year of staring at screens. Keep them active as much as possible, and really focus on their mental health.
Enjoy the summer! The 2021-2022 school year is right around the corner.
If you have questions about your child’s IEP or need help navigating the special education system, I’m here to help. Schedule your consultation today!
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