American students on average lose 2-3 months of reading and comprehension skills over the summer. As educational professionals, we find that alarming. Luckily there are things you can do to keep your teen’s brain ready for knowledge all summer. Here are three suggestions for avoiding the “summer slide.”
Reading
The simplest way to keep the summer slide from getting the best of your child is to encourage reading of any kind. It is important to be excited about anything your child chooses to read, not just academic books or literary classics. Whether your child likes comics, mysteries, sci-fi, or non-fiction—all reading is good for the brain.
Movies
If your child isn’t a big reader, movies about true stories are another avenue to get them thinking about history. Find movies that relate to your child’s interests and it can spark a fire for more knowledge. For example if your child enjoys movies about animals, try nature documentaries or movies like Secretariat, Balto, or Temple Grandin.
Summer Camps
If your teen is more outdoorsy or just wants to learn about something different, look into camps in your area. Community Colleges offer a wide range of interesting classes for high school students that aren’t available during the typical school year. This summer CPCC is offering classes for every interest (see what’s available at http://cpccsummerexperience.com). If your teen is looking for more of an adventure or sports, check out camps at area colleges or YMCA camps. Larger schools like UNCC, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest offer camps in sports like soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and lacrosse.
