As the school year comes to an end and the temperature rises, the summer season brings about the dreaded “summer slide” for many maybe even most students. This phenomenon refers to the loss of academic skills and knowledge that occurs over the summer break. However, these 5 effective strategies to prevent the summer slide can help any kiddo maintain some of those hard-earned reading skills.

Simple things such as incorporating decodable readers, designed to reinforce phonics skills and promote reading fluency, can ensure that children continue to progress in their reading journey.

Keep reading to find out some great ideas, with a special focus on reading practice aligned with the science of reading that you can incorporate into your kiddos fun summer schedule.

1. Create a Summer Reading Routine:

Reading is the cornerstone of academic success, and a consistent reading routine can make a significant impact on a child’s language development and overall comprehension skills. Any amount of time will be helpful! Start with just a few minutes and it might be helpful to make it a family activity by setting aside designated reading time in which everyone grabs a book! With the routine in place, you can always work up to a little bit longer time for this family reading session!

Pro tip! Include some decodable readers into your child’s daily reading schedule. These specialized books are designed to support the science of reading by providing systematic phonics instruction and reinforcing decoding skills. By incorporating reading into their daily routine, you will foster a love for reading and keep those hard-earned skills sharp.

2. Build a Home Library:

If possible, it might be fun to create a dedicated space for a home library. This could be just a simple shelf or even a special box or basket. You can tuck those decodable readers inside and take your child to the local library or bookstore and let them choose books that spark their interest. If your kiddo’s teacher sent home any readers, passages, or fluency materials over the school year, you could store those here too!

3. Engage in Shared Reading:

Shared reading is an interactive and collaborative experience that promotes reading comprehension and language development. Choose a book to read together as a family, taking turns reading aloud or discussing the story as you progress. Encourage your child to ask questions, make predictions, and share their thoughts and opinions. Shared reading helps children develop critical thinking skills, vocabulary, and a deeper understanding of the text, all while fostering a love for reading.

4. Explore Digital Resources:

In today’s digital age, numerous online resources can enhance reading practice while aligning with the science of reading. Platforms like Learning Ally and Teach Your Monster to Read offer interactive decodable reader apps that provide targeted phonics practice and reading support. Other websites like Raz-Kids, Epic, and Reading Eggs offer engaging stories, comprehension activities, and phonics exercises that cater to different reading levels. These digital resources can make reading practice fun and engaging while providing essential practice on many reading skills.

5. Connect Reading to Real-Life Experiences:

Make reading practice more meaningful by connecting it to real-life experiences. Encourage that sweet kiddo to read books related to their hobbies, interests, or upcoming family outings. If you’re planning a visit to the zoo, it might be perfect to read books about animals or wildlife conservation beforehand.

Incorporate reading into every day activities by having your child read recipes, grocery lists, or road signs. By associating reading with real-life situations, reading will be more multisensory and children will understand the practical value of reading while improving their comprehension and vocabulary skills.

Another fun real-life experience might be to encourage your child to write and illustrate their own mini-books based on the decodable reader stories. Incorporate hands-on activities like building words with letter tiles or using sensory materials like sand or shaving cream to trace and practice letter formations. These activities create a multisensory experience that solidifies reading skills.

Guess what!

The summer slide doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of the break for elementary students. By implementing these five effective strategies, parents and educators can help prevent learning loss and keep children engaged in reading throughout the summer. Remember to establish a consistent reading routine, create a home library, engage in shared reading experiences, utilize digital resources, and connect reading to real-life situations. With these approaches, we can ensure that children continue to develop their reading skills while fostering a lifelong love for learning.

By aligning reading practice with the science of reading, we empower children to become confident readers who are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed academically and beyond. Let’s make this summer a season of growth and exploration for our young learners.

I would love to help you!

Please email me with all your questions! Let’s chat about what you are doing for your students or in your home to help prevent that summer slide!

I have so many decodable readers and passages that you just might find useful in your summer reading routine. You can check them out here!

You can even grab a FREE decodable reader! Just click here to learn more!

References:

1. National Summer Learning Association. (n.d.). What is summer learning loss? Retrieved from https://www.summerlearning.org/why-summer-learning-matters/summer-learning-loss/
2. National Institute for Literacy. (2008). Developing Early Literacy: Report of the National Early Literacy Panel. Retrieved from https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/NELPReport09.pdf