Preventing the Summer Slide with Faith and Family
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Too early to think about summer? Surprisingly, no! Now is the perfect time to ponder ways to help kids enjoy their break from school without facing a summer slide in faith habits, learning retention, and physical activity. Planning ahead now can help your family thrive once that end-of-school bell rings.
Consider whether your usual summer plans support your family’s values. Does worship take a back seat to sleeping in and weekend sports activities? Is Christ at the center of your summer plans, or have other priorities slowly taken that place? It’s spiritually wise to say “no” to some activities and lean into a summer that intentionally allows ample space for worship and family time.
Staving off a summer learning slide, after your child worked so hard all school year, is possible! Summer school classes often provide reinforcement of skills learned during the school year, but in a fun, engaging way. Many summer school sign-ups begin in the month of March, so this could be something to consider now. But other options for reducing the summer learning slide exist, and they don’t need to include tutors, workbooks, and hours of study.
Here are some ideas…
Strengthen reading skills
Reading challenges, trips to the library, a favorite book in a cozy corner, and conversations help kids grow their language skills. Write and read prayers together. Find a Bible at their reading level. Revive the art of letter- or postcard-writing to stay in touch with long-distance relatives. A note in the mail can make a person’s day!
Keep math sharp
Math skills often need the most reinforcement to stay strong over summer. Practice counting items at home or the grocery store with younger kids. Help older kids learn to keep track of money, including how to tithe, save, donate to charity, and balance a bank account. Play math board games, or set a timer on a digital math app. (Add digital supports with care. Excessive screen time has been linked to higher rates of physical and mental health concerns.)
Prioritize time in nature
Nature powerfully supports mental, physical, spiritual, and cognitive health. Outdoor play encourages gross motor development. “Forest bathing” and nutrients in the soil have been shown to calm stress levels and improve gut health. (There are reasons God placed Adam and Eve in a garden!) Kids are way more likely to eat healthy veggies that they help grow. No space or time to plant a big garden? Place pots of vegetable plants on your deck or porch. Let kids choose a fruit or veggie the next time you’re at a farmer’s market, grocery shopping, or placing your online order. Here’s more inspiration for ways to take learning outdoors.
Planning with Christ and your family’s values at the center is a great way to keep faith a priority while you enjoy the reset summer offers. Your prayerful consideration and choices now can support a schedule that balances learning retention, encourages fun activities, and allows much-needed downtime (for you and your child) over summer. Here’s to finishing the school year strong with a thoughtful eye toward summer!
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. (Proverbs 16:3)
