Are your kids experiencing the ‘summer slide?’ 5 local ways to combat learning loss
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Students lose academic progress during summer break, study shows.
- Free SLO County Library programs incentivize reading with prizes and resources.
- Landmarks, hikes and daily tasks offer informal settings for summer learning .
For local kids, summer vacation is time for swimming, ice cream, beach days and importantly: no school.
But all that fun and free time can eat away at the academic progress kids made over the school year — a phenomenon known as the “summer slide.”
A 2020 study found that an average student loses anywhere between 17% and 28% of their progress in English and language arts, and between 25% and 34% of their progress in math. The results varied by student and grade, but the research found that “summers can be characterized as a time when, on average, students lose ground.”
When it’s time for kids to go back to school, summer learning loss can create challenges in the classroom as teachers try to get students back on the same page and students struggle to remember what they learned months prior.
So, what are some ways to keep your kids learning so they’re ready to enter the classroom in August?
As part of our Parents Central series, we compiled a list of some ways to combat summer learning loss and keep kids academically engaged during the final weeks of summer.
Participate in summer reading at your local library
According to the California Library Association, reading just five books during the summer can help combat learning loss — and luckily for locals, the SLO County Library has a free summer reading program that extends across all its locations.
According to the program website, kids, teens and adults who read for at least five hours this summer are eligible to win a prize. Audiobooks, cookbooks, comic books and picture books all count toward the five-hour goal.
Those who read for ten hours can get a free book, and those who read for twenty hours can receive a book bag, according to the library’s summer guide.
SLO County’s library locations have a large selection of books for all ages and interests. Local library card holders can also access Libby, an app that provides e-books, audiobooks and magazines.
Track your summer reading in one of the library’s summer guides and return it to your local branch to get your reward.
The SLO County Library also has a series of other summer programs available for families, including reptile shows, magic shows and a back-to-school celebration on Aug. 9.
Families can also check out museum and county or state parks passes, according to a library website.
Take an educational hike or beachfront walk
On that note, exploring the great outdoors is another way to keep kids engaged this summer.
Though summer isn’t peak monarch butterfly season, Pismo Beach’s Monarch Butterfly Grove still makes a great educational excursion.
Head to the grove, located off Dolliver Street between downtown Pismo Beach and Grover Beach, to learn about the annual monarch migration and why his year’s butterfly count was so low.
After you walk through the grove, follow the trail down to the sand to enjoy a beach day — and, if you’d like, take the opportunity to teach your kids about Pismo clams, marine life and seabirds.
SLO County’s Montaña de Oro also provides a backdrop for a scenic and educational hike.
Help your kids identify some of the plants and wildlife that can be observed inside the park, including deer, bobcats, raccoons, quail and black oystercatchers, according to the state park’s website.
Visit a SLO County landmark or museum
SLO County is full of many noteworthy landmarks, giving families the opportunity to brush up on history right in their own backyards.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is a popular choice for families interested in learning more about the history of SLO.
The Mission provides guided tours Monday through Saturday at 1:15 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The tours teach families about the history of the Mission, how it was built and the historical art hanging in the building, according to its website.
Near the Mission is the History Center of SLO County.
According to its website, the museum has several exhibits currently on display — including one about how children lived and played in the past.
The History Center is open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Take a tour of Hearst Castle
One of SLO County’s most famous landmarks is Hearst Castle — the historical home of newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.
Multiple different tours are available, teaching about Hearst’s legacy in SLO County and how the castle was constructed. Visitors will also see many different pieces of art lining the walls of the castle — and there’s always a chance for kids to spot one of the zebras known to roam the land around the castle.
Hearst Castle provides discounted entry for children aged 5-12 and free entry for children under 5, according to its website.
Practice math and science in daily activities
There’s also plenty of learning that can happen as families go about their daily activities.
Next time you’re cooking dinner, take the opportunity to help kids practice their math and science skills.
Or, next time you’re shopping for groceries, help your kids sound out new words or calculate prices.
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