How to Prevent the Summer Slide (Without Ruining Summer)

The "summer slide" is the term for the learning children can lose over the long summer holiday, especially in reading and math. The good news is that a little practice goes a long way. Ten to twenty minutes a day of reading and playful math can help children start the new school year confident and ready.

What is the summer slide?

Studies have suggested that many children lose some math and reading skills over summer, though the size of the effect varies between studies and children. Children who keep reading and practising over summer tend to hold on to more of what they've learned. It doesn't take much, and it doesn't have to feel like school.

Reading: the most important habit

1. Read every day. Aim for 20 minutes. It can be picture books, comics, chapter books, magazines or audiobooks.
2. Library visits. Many libraries run free summer reading challenges with stickers and prizes.
3. Let children choose. Kids read more when they choose what interests them.
4. Read aloud to children of all ages.
5. Reading chart. Color a square for every book read.
6. Read everywhere: in the car, at the park, in a tent.
7. Reading comprehension: a few short passages with questions each week keep skills sharp.

See how to teach reading at home.

Math: little and often

1. Quick daily practice. Five to ten minutes using the math worksheet maker or a minute-math drill.
2. Mystery pictures. Solve sums to reveal a picture with mystery picture worksheets.
3. Real-life math: cooking, shopping, measuring and telling time.
4. Math games: dice games, card games, board games.
5. Review last year's skills: pick worksheets from the grade your child just finished. Browse by grade.
6. Fact fluency: practise addition or times tables. See math fact fluency.

Writing

• Summer journal. One sentence and one picture a day.
• Postcards and letters to friends and grandparents.
• Stories and comics.
• Lists: packing lists, shopping lists, bucket lists. See our summer bucket list.

Learning through summer fun

• Science: nature walks, bug hunts, kitchen experiments. See kitchen science experiments.
• Geography: maps on holidays and road trips. See road trip activities.
• Money: lemonade stands and holiday budgets. See teaching kids about money.
• Measurement: measuring plants, rain, sandcastles. Try our measurement worksheets.

A simple summer learning plan

• Every day: 20 minutes of reading.
• Three times a week: 10 minutes of math.
• Once a week: a writing activity and a library visit.
• Whenever possible: real-life learning through cooking, trips and games.

Tips for success

• Same time each day. After breakfast works well for many families.
• Keep it short and light. The goal is maintaining skills, not stress.
• Use rewards. Stickers, a reading chart or a trip to the library.
• Make it social. Read with friends, play math games as a family.
• Rest too. Summer is for play, rest and family time.

By age

Pre-K and kindergarten: reading aloud, letter and number games, and counting in everyday life.

Grades 1–2: daily reading, addition and subtraction practice, and journals.

Grades 3–5: chapter books, times tables, fractions and writing projects.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Turning summer into school. Keep it short and fun.
• Waiting until August. Little and often throughout summer works best.
• Forcing books they don't enjoy. Let them choose.

Frequently asked questions

How much should kids study over summer?

About 20 minutes of reading a day and 10 minutes of math a few times a week is plenty for most children.

What's the best way to prevent the summer slide?

Daily reading is the single most effective habit.

Should I buy a summer workbook?

It can help, but free worksheets, reading and real-life math work just as well.

A printable summer reading chart

Make a chart with:

• A square for every day of the summer holiday
• A star for each 20 minutes of reading
• A small reward every 10 stars, like choosing a library book or a park trip
• A space to write each book title

Stick it on the fridge and color in squares together.

Summer reading ideas by age

• Ages 4–6: picture books, read-alouds and early readers. Read the same favorites again and again.
• Ages 7–9: early chapter books, comics and nonfiction about their interests.
• Ages 10–12: longer chapter books, series and graphic novels.

What if my child hates reading?

Find something they love, such as comics, joke books, sports magazines or books about their hobbies. Reading aloud together and audiobooks count too.

Is screen reading okay?

E-books count, but paper books may be easier to focus on for younger children.

Can summer camps help?

Yes. Camps with reading, science or art activities keep minds active, but plenty of play and rest matter too.

What if we're travelling all summer?

Pack books and audiobooks, keep a travel journal, read maps and signs, and use money and time in real situations. Travel is full of learning.