Harris County Department of Education’s Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment for Kids, or CASE for Kids, offers parents summer learning tips for their students to help prevent “summer slide,” or the loss of academic skills and knowledge during the summer.

According to the National Summer Learning Association, most students lose approximately two months of grade level equivalency in math during the summer and low-income students typically fall behind in reading achievement. This loss is among the most significant causes of the achievement gap between lower and higher income students and one of the strongest contributors to the high school dropout rate.

CASE for Kids hosted their annual Summer Learning Day event on July 13 to emphasize the importance of keeping students engaged, safe and healthy every summer. At this year’s event, Harris County students attending summer afterschool programs in childcare facilities and nonprofit organizations experienced a variety of space-themed activities that promoted learning, exploration and skill development.

Following Summer Learning Day, CASE for Kids offers parents tips to keep students engaged and learning during the remainder of the summer and help close the achievement gap:

1. Dust off the library card. Reading is the best and often cheapest way to keep kids’ minds engaged during the summer.
2. Hit the “off” button. Screen time (phone, television, etc.) should be limited during the summer. Otherwise, kids may find little motivation to get much-needed exercise or participate in other summer learning activities.
3. Get creative. Students love to paint, draw and construct when they’re at school, so encourage them to do the same at home.
4. Leave the house. Going to a park or riding a bike may not sound like “summer learning,” but studies show healthy bodies and healthy minds are linked.
5. Don’t forget two plus two. Keep kids’ STEM brains in gear by doing small things like measuring flour and sugar for baking, calculating the grocery bill, or using flash cards or free online worksheets.

“We’re dedicated to ensuring students receive high-quality and enriching academic experiences, even in the summer,” said Lisa Thompson-Caruthers, CASE for Kids director. “It’s important that our students return to school in the fall ready to succeed.”

Find more summer learning tips and free local activities here: http://www.hcde-texas.org/media/4705/use-it-or-lose-it-flyer-2017.pdf.

For more information on preventing summer learning loss, visit www.summerlearning.org.