For thousands of city kids enjoying the summer, school can seem like a distant memory.
Unfortunately, a good chunk of what they learned during the school year might be fading away as well.
It’s a phenomenon known as the summer slide.
“A child can lose roughly 20% over the summer of what they learned the previous school year,” said Matthew Boulay of the National Summer Learning Association. “If you think about that loss summer after summer, it really becomes quite significant.”
The city Education Department pumped up its summer enrichment programs this year, including free classes focused on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) for 4,000 students.
And groups of middle schoolers are spending the summer learning about public buildings and infrastructure projects with the city Department of Design and Construction.
“Learning doesn’t end when school gets out,” said city Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “The summer is an important time for students to keep their minds active and explore their passions.”
Experts said there are plenty of ways parents and kids can beat the summer slide even if they aren’t in school programs.
“If you read to your children at night during the school year, then read to them during the summer,” said Boulay. “If you monitor and limit screen time, do the same during the summer.”
All three library systems in the city have free summer reading programs geared to families.
At many branches of the Queens Library, kids can also get free summer meals while attending reading, math, arts and science programs.
“Educators know that children who are encouraged to read when school is out retain more learning and are better prepared for a successful school year,” said former city Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott, who is now president of the Queens Library. “And children who read what lights up their imaginations are likely to become better readers.”
The Boys Club of New York pairs teens with younger children for a Summer Superheroes program focused on improving their literacy during the summer months while kids at the Brooklyn Cultural Adventure Camp have activities at libraries and other cultural institutions.
Boulay urged parents to come up with their own summer curriculum.
“New York is a beautiful place to see music and explore different foods and cultures,” he said. “Try an ethnic cuisine new to your family and then do a mini study of the country at home. The key to effective summer learning is to make it fun and engaging.”
