When it comes time for summer vacation, it’s important that students don’t take a total break from learning.

Many students lose the equivalent of one to two months of reading and math skills during the summer, requiring teachers to spend an average of four to eight weeks at the beginning of every school year reviewing materials forgotten over summer vacation. By planning constructive learning activities during the summer break, parents can provide their children with valuable opportunities to retain what they’ve learned and practice the skills they need to be successful in school and in life.

Parents play an important role in supporting summer learning by involving their children in fun, everyday activities. The Summer Fun & Learning Guide for Parents was created by Sylvan Learning to help parents understand the role that summer learning plays in a child’s overall academic success. The guide’s grade-specific activities make it easy for parents to plan fun, summer activities that nurture reading, writing and math skills.

Review the suggestions in each grade level to see which are most appropriate for your child. A few are short, one-time activities that can be completed in under an hour and require limited materials. The majority are more involved, multi-step activities that families can complete and enjoy throughout the summer months.

Remember, the best learning often occurs when children don’t even realize they’re learning! Whether planting a mystery garden, organizing a neighborhood book club or creating a beach towel “journal,” summer is the perfect time to discover that learning is fun and can happen anywhere - while still enjoying trips to the beach and outdoor playtime.

Be smart, keep learning and have fun this summer!

For additional educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, visit the "Parent Resources" area of www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-228-3413.