Don't Let Children Slide This Summer
Out of all the things low-income parents worry about during the summer months - family vacations, the pool and activities at home - this might very well be at the bottom of their list or not on there at all! It's called the "summer slide," and it’s what could happen to children during the summer while their minds are “inactive,” at least compared to how “active” they would have been during the school year. Approximately two months worth of knowledge is lost during the summer according to the National Summer Learning Association. A major study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University shows that during the school year, regardless of economic status, students made similar progress but come summer break, those in disadvantaged financial situations fell behind while the more privileged students either progressed or held steady.
A cover story in the August 2nd issue of Time magazine addresses this issue in the article “The Case Against Summer Vacation” written by David Von Drehle. Von Drehle says that more privileged children have access to higher quality activities during the summer like museums and enrichment classes that keep their minds sharp. The story highlights some of the organizations across the country that have taken steps to further engage students during the summer, such as the Hawthorne Community Center in West Indianapolis where elementary age students are learning pre-algebra and exploring plant science. Ellen Galinsky, posted for the Huffington Post, “7 Ways to Help Your Children Thrive During Summer,” tips parents can use to keep their children engaged while out of school. Among her suggestions is helping children pursue their own interests and showing your children by example that you enjoy learning as well.
At The Children’s Aid Society, summer break is not only spent at theme parks or the beach, but in activities to expand one’s mind and exercise the cerebral muscles. Children's Aid summer camps not only help keep children safe, but introduce fun, engaging and intellectually stimulating activities that counter "summer slide," when students lose educational ground during summer vacation. Gwendolyn Taylor, Director of the Bridge Program at the Dunlevy Milbank Center has experience in engaging the toughest of age groups, “tweens,” during the summer break. For more of Gwen’s advice, watch this video!