Kids Need Daily Math and Reading Practice throughout the Summer

Regression and recoupment refers to the loss of knowledge and the amount of time it takes to recoup the lost knowledge due to time. For most students this equates to summer vacation. Research conducted by Tilley, Cox, and Staybrook (1986) found that most students experience some regression over the summer months. Students in regular education regressed by about 4 percent as measured by standardized tests. The study also found that students with mild handicaps, serious behavior disorders, and hearing impairments regressed at about the same rate as regular education students.
What strategies can parents use to help? According to The National Summer Learning Association, learning should encompass not just academic skills but also physical activities and social activities with appropriate adult supervision. They maintain that students lose two months of their mathematical knowledge base and tend to gain weight in the summer months.
They offer training and web seminars to organizations or people who want to have summer learning programs. But what if as a parent you do not want such a technical structured program? There are programs such as Summer Bridge Activities and Summer Quest! that allow students to review their academic skills in short, daily activities that are fun. They come in workbook formats that are easy and fun for kids to use.
Another way is for parents to go online and utilize such websites as pbskids.org and funbrain.com. For older students, there are websites and K-12 required reading lists online. Even if their school does not give a required reading list, just typing a required reading grade in the search engine gives sample lists.