8 Fun ways to prevent summer loss of learning

School's out for the summer! Woo Hoo!! Time for vacation, days by the pool, sleeping in, and just a much slower paced life. It's important for families to have down-time. Those first couple of weeks after the school year ends are essential for burnout recovery. And while we need to celebrate the time and energy we put into having a successful school year, it's also important to consider how to set our kids up for success in the year ahead.

Many of us are still rebounding from the significant disruption caused by Covid-19. At its peak, UNESCO reported that nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries, or 94 percent of the world’s student population, were impacted by educational institution closures. Studies show that losses in learning may translate to greater long-term challenges. The term “learning loss” is commonly used to describe declines in student knowledge and skills. So what can we as parents and guardians do during the summer months to prevent loss of learning that will be fun? We got you covered!

1. Encourage reading: Reading is an excellent way to maintain and enhance language skills. Encourage your child to read regularly during the summer by providing access to a variety of books, magazines, and newspapers. Consider visiting the local library together and helping your child choose books that align with their interests.

2. Create a learning routine: Establishing a structured routine can help keep your child engaged in learning activities. Set aside a specific time each day for educational pursuits, such as reading, solving puzzles, or working on educational apps. Consistency is key to prevent learning loss.

3. Explore educational activities: Look for educational programs, summer camps, or workshops in your area that offer opportunities for learning and skill development. These activities can be focused on subjects like science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM), providing an interactive and engaging learning experience for your child. World Explorers has several options to choose from!

4. Incorporate learning into daily life: Encourage your child to explore their surroundings and learn from their experiences. For example, during family outings or vacations, involve your child in planning, researching, and learning about the places you visit. Additionally, everyday activities like cooking, gardening, or budgeting can be turned into learning opportunities.

5. Embrace technology: Utilize educational websites, apps, and online resources that offer interactive and engaging learning experiences. Many online platforms provide educational content tailored to different age groups and subjects. Supervise your child's screen time to ensure they are engaging with high-quality, educational materials.

6. Foster curiosity and inquiry: Encourage your child's curiosity by engaging them in discussions about topics of interest. Support their questions and help them find answers through books, online resources, or by seeking guidance from experts. Promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging them to analyze situations and come up with creative solutions.

7. Involve the community: Seek out community resources, such as local museums, libraries, and nature centers that offer educational programs or workshops for children. Participating in community events can provide new learning experiences and opportunities for social interaction.

8. Be a role model: Parents play a crucial role in shaping their child's attitude towards learning. Show enthusiasm for learning by sharing your own interests and knowledge with your child. Engage in discussions, explore new topics together, and demonstrate that learning is a lifelong pursuit.

Remember, while it's important to prevent learning loss during the summer, it's also essential to allow your children to have a break, relax, and engage in unstructured playtime. Balancing learning activities with leisure and downtime is key to maintaining a healthy and enjoyable summer for your child!

A four-day school week: will it work?

Brookings Institute research shows that the four-day school week model has grown in popularity over the past two decades. An analysis published shortly before the pandemic found at least 662 districts across two dozen states with four-day weeks. For many parents, families and teachers, it might sound like a dream come true. One less day of getting everyone up on time, preparing school lunches, car pooling…I mean the list goes on. But how rewarding is a four-day school week and is it something that could benefit the masses?

First, Let’s Talk Logistics

Typically, a four-day week involves increasing the length of the school day four days per week and “dropping” the fifth day. On average, days are about 50 minutes longer, coming in at approximately seven hours and 55 minutes. For many adults, this model has proven to reduce burnout. Some businesses even report improved productivity, morale and team culture. However, an emerging body of research suggests that schools and businesses may not share the same four-day ‘wins.’

Here, we describe the pros and cons of embracing a four-day school week.

PROS TO A FOUR-DAY SCHOOL WEEK

• More time for extracurricular activities: With one extra day off per week, students have more time to engage in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, or volunteering.

• Reduced absenteeism: A shorter school week may lead to reduced absenteeism as students have one day off to recover from illnesses or attend appointments, reducing the need to miss school days.

• Cost savings: A four-day school week may save costs on transportation, energy, and staff salaries, as schools can reduce the number of days they need to operate.

• Improved teacher morale: With one less day of teaching per week, teachers may feel less burnt out and more motivated to teach, leading to improved teacher morale.

• Improved Mental Health: A weekly mental health day may keep students in a healthy frame of mind. It also teaches students to prioritize their mental health from an early age. Students could use this day to catch up on rest and/or sleep; recover from a stressful event that would keep them from engaging in class; consult with a mental health professional; and/or take preventative action to care of themselves.

CONS TO A FOUR-DAY WEEK

• Longer school days: Schools may need to compensate for the lost day by extending the remaining school days, making them longer and more tiring for both students and teachers.

• Decreased academic performance: Studies have shown that a four-day school week may negatively impact academic performance, particularly in math and reading, as students have fewer days in the classroom.

• Childcare issues: Working parents may have difficulty arranging for childcare on the extra day off, leading to increased stress and disruption.

• Difficulty scheduling extracurricular activities: With students and teachers having different schedules, it may be harder to schedule extracurricular activities that everyone can attend.

• Difficulty managing multiple children with different schedules/needs: For parents that maybe have one child in high school, one in middle school, and a smaller one, it could be challenging to find ways to accommodate everyone's "day off." Even with childcare and extracurricular activities in place, it could feel overwhelming to parents, especially if they don't work from home or have a four-day week job.

As you can see, this isn't a black or white issue. It will require researchers conducting longitudinal studies before we can truly assess if a four-day school week is an effective model. Overall, a four-day school week has both benefits and drawbacks, and schools should carefully consider the potential impact on their students, teachers, and community before implementing this type of schedule. Does a four-day school week make sense for you and your family? Or do you prefer a traditional five-day week? We'd love to hear from you!

How to talk to kids about gun violence?

According to the Washington Post's tracker, there were more school shootings in 2022 than in any year since 1999, and over 74 people have been killed in school shootings in 2023 alone. Once upon a time, mass shootings were rare but now they're so common we cannot ignore them. In fact, we should be having ongoing, developmentally appropriate conversations about them with our kids.

But first, reassure them that they are safe...

Reassure your kids that their school is safe. Schools across the country are implementing increased safety measures to prevent themselves from becoming a target, and if you don't know the protocol at your child's school, I encourage you to inquire. Having a better understanding of the school's safety plans in the event of danger can aid in lessening your feelings of anxiousness which you can then harness to reassure your child of the steps taken to protect them.

Keep your talks developmentally appropriate, as recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists:

• Early elementary school children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them. Give simple examples of school safety like reminding children about exterior doors being locked, child monitoring efforts on the playground, and emergency drills practiced during the school day.

• Upper elementary and early middle school children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to provide safe schools.

• Upper middle school and high school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school safer and how to prevent tragedies in society. Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators, and accessing support for emotional needs.

As always, remember this is not a one-and-done conversation. You will need to check-in with your kids periodically to assess how they might be navigating their feelings around gun violence. Although it may not appear to be a relevant topic in your home environment, it may often come up at school amongst teachers and peers. A general rule of thumb is to role model how you sit with and process when you feel scared. In doing so, you demonstrate the practice of emotional regulation and equip your child with the life skills they need to grow into an emotionally balanced adult.