Ask Dr. Manfroy
Should my child do schoolwork over the summer to avoid "brain drain?"
Summer is a time for kids to wind down from over-scheduling and recharge their minds. Your children may envision the next three months sleeping until noon, playing video games and watching TV. Is it truly in their best interest to file away pencil and paper until fall? Research suggests the answer is no.
Summer learning loss is well-known to educators. Give students the same standardized test in June and again in August, and scores drop predictably. It is the depth of that decline that may surprise you. Students lose on average 2-1/2 months of grade equivalency in math over the summer. Reading performance decreases as well, though not as precipitously. Most schools spend 1-1/2 months in the fall trying to get kids back up to speed after their summer of academic inactivity.
Still, parents need to use moderation when addressing summer learning loss.
Add a Little Math
Working on math with your school-aged child is recommended. Five daily problems, not five hours, would be appropriate. Visit the library or go online to find math workbooks. Practice math problems at the park using acorns, or have your child add up the cost of your tickets to the Reds game. Reward the child who works on math problems four days a week; keep things fun and be creative.
Rev up Reading
Reading performance can also be addressed at your local library. Summer reading programs encourage children to explore subjects that excite them, while improving their reading skills. Best of all, it's free.
Don't forget to let kids be kids. The most rewarding learning experiences can occur on a hiking trail, at the zoo, in a canoe or at a local museum.
For kids of any age, lay down some summer ground rules to help promote active minds. Limit TV, computer and video games to a combined two hours a day. Lead by example – get off the couch and encourage the whole family to get the most out of the summer.
