A Smart Way to Prevent Summer Learning Loss: The Science Behind Summer Solutions
For kids, summer break is a time for fun and relaxation, but did you know that it can also lead to a significant loss of academic skills? In fact, students can lose nearly 40% of their total school year gains during a few summer months. Unfortunately, this is not a problem isolated to certain academic subjects. Between 70% and 80% of students experience a decline in math skills over summer, while 62-73% of them lose ground in reading abilities. Cumulative reading loss compounded summer after summer can put affected students three or more years behind their peers.
This phenomenon, known as the “summer slide,” affects many students, causing them to forget important concepts and struggle to catch up when school starts back in the fall. The good news? With the right approach and tools, parents and caregivers can keep their children engaged and learning all summer long without added stress. In this blog, we’ll explore the proven learning science behind effective skills practice and resources to help your child stay on track this summer.
The Summer Solutions Approach: Backed by Science
A Smart Way to Prevent Summer Learning Loss: The Science Behind Summer Solutions
1. Retrieval Practice: Strengthening Memory
What it is: Retrieval practice is the process of actively recalling information from memory rather than passively reviewing it. When students are prompted to recall what they’ve learned, their brains strengthen those memory pathways, making it easier to remember concepts in the future. Retrieval practice allows students to truly master concepts, retain what they’ve learned, and apply their learning to other situations.
Example: Instead of simply re-reading a math concept in a textbook, ask learners to solve problems based on what they previously learned, reinforcing their memory through active recall.
Why it works: The mental effort it takes to retrieve information strengthens neural pathways, making it easier to recall the information in the future. Research shows that retrieval practice improves long-term retention and helps students build confidence in their abilities.
2. Spacing (Spiraling): Reinforcing Learning Over Time
What it is: Spacing, also called “spiraling,” involves spreading out practice sessions over time instead of cramming, or “massed practice,” all at once. They learn the material more deeply and are better able to transfer their learning to new situations. Revisiting concepts at regular intervals helps reinforce learning and prevent forgetting, keeping skills sharp over time.
Example: As opposed to answering questions or solving problems related to a skill one time, space out a mix of review questions from previous skills alongside new content, ensuring learners continuously revisit and reinforce essential concepts.
Why it works: When learners cram, they may learn the material, but it stays in short-term memory and is quickly forgotten. However, students who practice spacing benefit from long-term learning retention. Studies have found that learners who practice spacing achieve stronger retention compared to one-time review sessions.
Interleaving: Boosting Critical Thinking
What it is: Interleaving, or “mixed practice,” involves mixing different types of problems and subjects within a single practice session. This approach challenges students to apply their knowledge in various contexts and enhances problem-solving skills.
Example: Instead of focusing on one topic at a time, Summer Solutions workbooks combine math, reading, and writing exercises in a way that encourages students to make connections between subjects. Instead of using the same approach for the whole page, students must think about which strategy they’ll use to get the answer.
Why it works: Interleaving helps students think critically and adapt to different types of challenges, preparing them for real-world problem-solving. By forcing the brain to continually retrieve different types of information, neural pathways form leading to better long-term retention and improved ability to transfer learning across situations.
Why Choose Summer Solutions This Summer
After decades of success providing educators with classroom materials and workbooks that consistently boost student performance, Simple Solutions (creator of Summer Solutions) identified an opportunity to further support kids and educators during the summer months. Using the same research-backed strategies of retrieval practice, spacing, and interleaving that are core to the Simple Solutions program, Summer Solutions workbooks were created.
Today’s parents need solutions that work for their children without breaking the bank. Parents choose Summer Solutions workbooks because they are:
- Affordable: Compared to costly summer camps or tutoring programs, Summer Solutions workbooks are an effective learning solution at a fraction of the cost. At less than $17 per workbook, educators and families across the country trust these cost-effective products every year to maximize student learning.
- Portable: Whether you’re at home, on vacation, or heading to a summer camp, the workbooks are easy to take anywhere and make a perfect summer companion. They fit easily into a backpack, purse, or tote bag.
- Easy to Use: The structured, self-paced format means kids can complete lessons independently with minimal guidance from parents. The answer key allows parents to easily and effectively check their children’s work, making practice sessions more powerful. Summer Solutions books are designed to be used three times per week during the 10-week break. Each lesson typically takes only minutes to complete.
- Effective: Simple Solutions workbooks have helped students improve classroom performance across the country for decades, and the same goes for their companion Summer Solutions resources. Kentucky principal Josh Mounts shares, “Simple Solutions are worth their weight in gold. Every year since our school implemented Simple Solutions in Reading, Math, and Social Studies five years ago, we have seen great gains in conceptual knowledge among our students and continual strong growth on the state assessment. At the end of each school year, I survey my teachers as to the one resource they want for the next school year and 100% of my staff, without question, responds with ‘Simple Solutions.’ I highly recommend Simple Solutions…to have a major impact on student achievement.”
How to Incorporate Summer Solutions into Your Summer Routine
Keeping learning fun and stress-free is key to a successful summer. Here are a few tips to seamlessly incorporate Summer Solutions into your child’s day:
- Morning Routine: Start a few days a week with ten minutes of workbook time to set a positive, productive tone. Creating structure during summer time is key to maintaining learning in preparation for the fall. If possible, identify a dedicated space for your child to work that is comfortable and conducive to learning.
- Travel Time: Bring the workbooks along on road trips or flights for a productive way to pass the time. Keep the workbook and writing utensil in your child’s backpack or other bag that is easy to take on the road.
- Incentives: Offer small rewards or create a progress chart to motivate your child to stay consistent. Visual progress trackers increase motivation and help your child feel a sense of accomplishment for their daily efforts.
- Family Involvement: Make it a family activity by discussing topics and engaging in related fun activities. Have each child and adult establish a summer goal that you all check in on, share progress, and celebrate milestones together.
Give Your Child a Head Start This Fall
Preventing summer learning loss doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive or time consuming. With Summer Solutions workbooks, your child can maintain and strengthen their academic skills in a simple, cost-effective, and impactful way.
As a reader of our blog, we’d like to offer you an exclusive discount on your Summer Solutions order. For a limited time, choose the deal that serves you best at checkout—select either free shipping using code SummerFree; or 10% off orders of $50 or more using code Save10Now. This offer expires 8/31/25.
Curious to learn more? Explore Summer Solutions workbooks today and set your child up for success in the upcoming school year.
