5 Ways to Prevent the Summer Slide
Smart, science-backed strategies to keep kids learning all summer long
For many families, summer is a much-needed break from the school year’s early mornings, packed schedules, and homework battles. But when learning completely stops, students can lose a significant portion of what they worked so hard to gain during the school year. This seasonal learning loss—better known as the “summer slide”—can start as early as elementary school and compound year after year.
The numbers are sobering: studies show that students can lose up to 40% of their academic gains over the summer—with math and reading skills hit hardest. Between 70-80% of students experience learning loss in math, while 62-73% lose ground in reading. And these effects don’t even out over time: cumulative summer slide can leave students more than three years behind by the end of middle school.
The good news? Summer doesn’t have to mean lost learning. Here are five simple and effective ways to prevent the summer slide—with easy-to-implement tips for busy families and trusted tools that actually work.
5 Ways to Prevent the Summer Slide
1. Establish an "Hour of Reading"
Carving out a dedicated time for reading a few days a week can make a big difference in preventing reading loss. In fact, research from Scholastic shows that kids who read 20 minutes a day are exposed to nearly 2 million words a year—dramatically boosting vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency.
How to make it happen:
- Let kids choose their own books to build excitement and ownership.
- Pair reading time with a treat like a popsicle or a cozy corner.
- Start a family book club to talk about favorite characters and plot twists.
Resources to check out:
- Libby: Local libraries offer millions of ebooks and audiobooks. You can borrow them—for free and instantly—with a library card and Libby.
- Storyline Online: Celebrities read popular children’s books aloud—great for car rides or wind-down time.
- Your local library’s summer reading program (many offer prizes!).
2. Treat the Outdoors as Your Summer Classroom
Nature offers endless learning opportunities—no screens required. From science and math to creative writing and critical thinking, outdoor play supports every area of a child’s development. According to the Child Mind Institute, kids who spend time outside show reduced stress, stronger attention spans, and increased motivation to learn.
Ideas for learning in nature:
- Go on a “shape scavenger hunt” for geometry practice.
- Keep a nature journal to record interesting leaves, bugs, or clouds.
- Measure shadows, chart plant growth, or track weather changes.
Resources to check out:
- AllTrails: Find family-friendly hiking trails near you.
- Project Learning Tree: Environmental activities and outdoor learning ideas by grade level.
3. Set Aside Time for Daily Skills Review
Just 10-15 minutes of review each day can help your child retain key math, reading, and writing skills. But creating your own review plan from scratch can be overwhelming—that’s why so many families turn to Summer Solutions, a trusted resource developed by educators and backed by brain science.
Whether you’re at home, running errands, or on a road trip, Summer Solutions workbooks are portable, affordable, and designed to be completed independently. Lessons follow best practices like retrieval practice (active recall), spacing (reviewing over time), and interleaving (mixing content types)—all shown to boost long-term retention and critical thinking.
Pro tip: Set up a “summer station” with pencils, crayons, and the workbook so your child has everything they need to complete a short lesson before heading out to play.
4. Lean on Affordable, High-Quality Learning Materials
Did you know that the average daily cost for summer day camp is $87 and sleepaway camp is $173 in the US? The good news is that parents don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on camps or tutors to keep kids learning during summer, and they certainly don’t need to reinvent the wheel, spending precious time scouring Google or creating their own materials. Summer Solutions workbooks, created by the education experts at Simple Solutions, offer research-based review at a fraction of the cost. Each book costs less than $17 and is built to be used just 3 times per week over 10 weeks.
Why families love Summer Solutions:
- Created by experts and loved by educators, based on proven cognitive science
- Flexible and self-paced for all types of learners
- Structured to support consistency and minimize stress
Parent-tested and parent-approved:
“We’ve been using Summer Solutions for years. We were first introduced to them by our children’s school… My oldest is now entering 7th grade and has completed them every summer. He hasn’t experienced the summer slide and has excelled academically. We’ve been very pleased with Summer Solutions and will continue to use them with our two other children.”
— Edwina Chaney, Parent
5. Maintain a Routine (Even a Loose One!)
Summer doesn’t need to be over-scheduled—but a little structure goes a long way. Creating a loose routine helps kids stay regulated, reduces daily power struggles, and keeps the transition back to school from being a shock to the system.
Sample summer schedule:
- Morning: Breakfast and one Summer Solutions lesson
- Midday: Outdoor time and reading hour
- Afternoon: Free play or family outing
- Evening: Screen time and bedtime story or journaling
Building short learning moments into your day makes it easier to stay consistent—and helps children of all ages build habits that stick.
Partner with Summer Solutions to Make This Summer Count
Preventing the summer slide doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With a little planning and the right resources, your child can have a summer filled with fun and learning. Summer Solutions workbooks are here to help—with expert-designed lessons that fit your family’s life and support your child’s success.
Explore workbooks by grade and subject at SummerSolutions.net
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Here’s to a summer full of sunshine, memories, and momentum!
