STEAM strategies to counter the summer slide

Compounding the problem, summer learning loss accumulates. Over the course of a child’s education, they can forget up to two years of learned material just from being out of school during the summer months. They miss a great deal of new instruction because teachers spend the first several weeks of each school year reviewing the skills lost over the summer.

How can parents help their child retain what they’ve learned? Reading to them and having them read is still one of the best ways to keep children actively learning. Reading 20 minutes each day exposes children to 1.5 million words a year. So, reading things that interest them is extremely valuable and trips to the library should happen often. But what about our reluctant readers — how do we get these children engaged in summer learning?

My answer is simple: give them a reason to read. Learning most naturally occurs when you are completing a project, so this summer help your child avoid the summer slide and learn new skills through project-based learning. This can be adapted to any age or skill level and most projects can be completed inexpensively using supplies you have at home.

Project-based learning allows reading and math skills to develop as children engage in activities that pique their interest and can include other STEAM subjects — science, technology, engineering, art and math. It also increases a child’s attention span to cover tasks over longer periods of time, while developing problem-solving skills. Project-based learning also helps children discover what interests them. Need some ideas?

Build something: Draw it, make it, then test it out (bird houses, bridges, roller coasters, boats, simple machines).

Plan a dream trip or a real trip: Map it out, calculate distances, times, costs and supplies. Postcards are a great way to have children share what they are learning as they travel or pretend to travel.

Make musical instruments and learn to play them: There are so many ways to do this, just ask Google.

Cook: There are recipes for all ages. Not only do they have to follow directions, it’s a life skill and builds independence.

Do daily tasks, but approach them a little differently: Shopping? Have your child write the shopping list and estimate costs. Going to a town nearby? Calculate travel time, the cost and map out your stops.

Do research: Look up things that interest them and read up. There are so many topics you can cover as you research.

Don´t forget about technology. If used properly and monitored there are many learning websites that can support academic learning while playing games.

Make sure your child is the one doing the reading and the work, to the level they can on their own. Provide guidance and remember it is okay to let them struggle. We learn more when we figure it out on our own, not when it is done for us.

Summer should be about exploring interests and new ideas that result in learning. Kids learn when they are engaged, so get them interested. The learning will occur naturally after that. Not only will your child start the next school year with less stress, your summer will be a little more enjoyable.