After a long school year, it’s tempting to hit pause and enjoy some well-deserved summer fun. And you absolutely should! But if children stop learning for too long, they can lose some of the skills they learned during the year. This is called the "summer slide" and happens often with reading.
The good news? Keeping your child’s mind active during the summer doesn’t have to be hard or take away from the fun. A few simple habits can help your child stay ready for the next school year, all while still enjoying a great summer break!
Why Summer Learning Matters
Without regular learning, many kids experience the “summer slide”. In fact, students in grades 3-5 lose an average of 20% of their reading progress over the summer months, according to a 2020 study.
It’s important to keep up with reading habits over the summer because it helps kids hold on to what they’ve learned, boosts their confidence and sets them up for success when school starts again. Summer learning doesn’t have to feel like homework. It can be fun, flexible and something the whole family enjoys!
Top Summer Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Summer is full of everyday moments that can easily become chances to spark curiosity and build strong reading habits. These simple tips are designed to help families turn daily routines from running errands to relaxing at the park, into fun learning opportunities that help prevent summer learning loss.
Make Reading a Daily Routine
One of the best ways to build strong reading habits is by making reading a regular part of your day. Whether it’s during morning quiet time, after lunch or as part of the bedtime wind-down, setting aside a consistent time helps create a routine that kids can look forward to. Remember, just 15 minutes a day can make a big difference!
Let your child pick the books that excite them. Giving kids the freedom to choose helps spark their curiosity and love for reading. Keep books visible and easy to grab throughout the house so that reading always feels like an inviting option.
Talk About What You Read
When reading with kids, take a moment to chat about the story together! Ask fun, open-ended questions like, “Why do you think the character did that?” or “What do you think will happen next?” Encourage them to retell the story in their own words. It’s a great way to help them understand and remember what they’ve read while making story time even more enjoyable.
Use Free Reading Resources
Another great way to build your child’s love for reading is by visiting your local library. You’ll be able to find a wonderful selection of free reading resources for all ages. You can also discover a nearby free little library in your neighborhood. This is a great way to pick up or share books with your community at no cost.
Learn on the Go with MarcoPolo
Keep your child learning all summer long and help prevent the summer slide with MarcoPolo Learning! This free and easy-to-use app offers fun, educational videos and activities that make learning at home a breeze.
Simply download the MarcoPolo Learning app, sign up for a free account with our class code: 8817 and explore a world of engaging content designed to spark curiosity and build important skills, anytime, anywhere!
Learn More About MarcoPolo
Join Our Summer Reading Challenge
Get ready for an exciting adventure in reading! Children in Osceola County are invited to join the annual Summer Reading Challenge. It's easy to participate in just three simple steps: encourage your little ones to read every day, track their progress using Beanstack and win a Samsung Galaxy tablet!
The Summer Reading Challenge keeps kids motivated through friendly competition, builds positive reading habits, encourages families to enjoy reading together and prevents summer learning loss. Celebrate your child’s reading success this summer and make wonderful memories together!
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