It isn’t hard to understand that if something isn’t used over a period of time, whether we’re talking muscles, skills or talents, then it isn’t developed and can even atrophy.
There’s more than a 100 years of research to confirm the problem of the “summer slide” for children, the loss of learning skills over the course of summer vacations.
Most kids, according to a review of research published by Johns Hopkins School of Education, lose about two months of what they learned in math skills during the previous year, and low-income youths can lose more than two months of reading achievement, even as their middle-class peers make slight gains. Over a course of a child’s elementary education, the report said, those losses can affect that child’s likelihood to earn a high school diploma and move on to college and career.
Which is why it’s so important for children to participate in the various summer reading programs and other opportunities for summer learning available throughout Snohomish County.
And it’s also why it’s so appreciated that Sno-Isle Libraries and the Everett Public Library, local school districts and others offer imaginative and engaging summer reading programs.
Playing off the young adult “Hunger Games” books, Sno-Isle’s Arlington Library staged the “Hungry Games” last week, competitions and activities across the street from the library that encourage kids to read, learn about their library and feed their minds, as The Herald’s Kari Bray reported Tuesday.
Imagination being a great way to engage kids, the “Hungry Games” challenged kids in messy but tasty games of “Face the Cookie” and banana jousting. And the kids played played the part: “For war. For glory. For bananas,” shouted Lucas Gibson, 12, a student at Post Middle School.
Inspired and fed, the kids were then encouraged to sign up for the library’s summer reading program, which offers prizes based on the number of hours they read.
Individual libraries in the Sno-Isle system offer similar reading programs and activities, as do Everett Public Library and the Everett School District. Sign up for both and reading hours count for both, meaning twice the prizes.
Parent and Child magazine recommends encouraging kids to read at least six books over the summer to avoid losing reading skills. You can help kids choose books that are at their reading level and that match their interests.
The magazine also encourages parents to look for opportunities to read throughout the day, and not just books. Encourage kids to read the newspaper — a practice we endorse — but also magazines, online resources and even schedules, a skill that’s important for kids are they begin to learn how to use public transit and plan activities, such as going to pools, movies and library and museum programs.
Parents, too, can continue to read to their kids and have their kids read to them. Reading to a child allows parents to discuss the book and define vocabulary. While kids reading to parents allows the kids to practice pronunciation and develop an appreciation for the rhythms of writing. And who doesn’t benefit, parent and child alike, from sitting together closely and sharing a quiet moment.
It’s not necessary here to talk about “screen time,” kids — and parents — gluing their attention to phones, video games and the TV. You’ve heard enough dire warnings about that.
Instead, let’s encourage reading and other learning opportunities this summer.
The only slide that kids should experience this summer is on the playground.
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