HayU Blog

Ah, summer break. That magical time of year when children run free, eat popsicles for breakfast, do cannonballs in the pool... and forget everything they learned in school.

While there’s plenty of value in unstructured play and sunshine, there’s also a hidden cost to those long summer months – especially when it comes to reading, writing, and math. In fact, research shows that kids can lose about 10-30% of reading  and math test score growth over the summer if they’re not engaged in academic activities. 

So what can parents do to help their kiddos overcome  this slump? The answer: a little structured, intensive academic time during summer break. And I’m not talking about locking your kids in a library (please don’t). I’m talking about focused, high-impact learning, even just a few hours a week, that can make a massive difference.

The Power of Intensive Instruction 

Let’s say your child spent the school year struggling with the material – slogging through homework, working harder than their peers, and yet still not seeing the results of their efforts. This could be due to a learning difference, classroom distractions, or disruptions during the school year (unfortunately, we all know many families were displaced by the fires this year). For these students, summer can be the perfect time to build confidence and competence without the stress of grades or crowded classrooms.

Ideally, they spend 60 minutes a day, a few days a week, practicing reading or working through math problems with you, a tutor, or a summer program. That type of intensive instruction is not just about keeping skills fresh– that’s remediation, reinforcement, and acceleration all rolled into one. In fact, studies show that high-dosage tutoring is one of the most effective ways to increase achievement and rate of learning. Imagine your child walking back into school in the fall and not just being caught up, but being poised to hit the ground running because of what they worked on over the summer.

Parent Pointers

If you’re going to tackle working on academic skills with your child this summer, know that consistency is key! A few 30-60 minute sessions throughout the week are much more effective (and less painful for everyone) than a single cram session that leaves everyone feeling drained. 

Here are a few low-stress ways to sneak learning into your summer: 

• Quiet reading time: Let your child pick out a book they’re actually interested in, and have them give you a quick recap after each chapter. You can make this more fun by creating a family book club or having them fill out a bingo card (Google “summer reading bingo card” for ideas) to earn a prize.
   
• Writing with a twist: Encourage them to keep a summer journal, write postcards or letters to friends and family, or review the latest book they read or movie they watched. You can also create silly writing prompts for them to flex their creative writing skills!
   
• Math in disguise: Websites like roomrecess.com have solid games to practice math facts. There are also variations of card games like “War”, where each player puts down two cards and the highest sum wins – feel free to mix it up with subtraction or multiplication. You can also use everyday scenarios to work on money, time, and measurement concepts.
   
• Workbooks to the rescue: Spectrum, Scholastic, and Summer Bridge Activities all offer great workbooks that do the heavy lifting for you. These resources are perfect for days when you want your kiddo to keep working on some skills, while you take a well-earned ice coffee break.

In general, remember that keeping it short and consistent helps build habits without turning summer into a second school year. But of course, if it ever feels overwhelming, know that leaning on a trained professional is always an option.

Bonus: It Helps You, Too

Let’s be honest – kids need some structure in the summer to create a healthy balance with all the fun they’re having. A bit of academic time each week provides a predictable routine, some quiet(ish) moments, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re setting your child up for success during the upcoming school year. It can also mean less stress in the fall – fewer homework battles, fewer worries about slipping grades, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing your child is equipped with the tools to succeed. You may find that a few hours of academic engagement a week actually makes the rest of summer more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.

So go ahead – savor the popsicles, join in on the cannonballs, and build sandcastles. But maybe mix in a little tutoring, too.

~ Forough Azimi

Director, Hayutin Education