5 Effective Steps to Avoid the Summer Slide 

(Niyoka McCoy, Ed.D., Chief Learning Officer at Stride) - Summer is almost here, and the educators at K12-powered online schools have created your ultimate guide to fend off summer learning loss. These tips can help keep your child’s mind active and engaged during the break—when learning often takes a backseat and academic progress can slide.  

Research shows that students in grades 1-8 lose around 17-34% of their English language arts and math gains over the summer. Once fall rolls around, teachers typically dedicate the first couple months to helping students catch up. 

While teachers will help your child get back on track in the fall, you can take proactive steps this summer to help them maintain and even grow their skills and knowledge. 

1. Enroll in a summer course. 

Summer school is one of the most effective ways to prevent summer learning loss. Online options, like K12-powered online schools, make it easy to fit learning into your family’s summer routine. Whether reinforcing challenging concepts or exploring new and interesting subjects, online summer school provides enrichment in a flexible setting.  

2. Read for fun. 

Reading can boost cognitive performance, language development, and academic achievement and decrease symptoms of stress. Visit your local library and let your child pick books that interest them to nurture a lifelong love for reading. 

3. Get career focused. 

High school students can get real-life experience in different career paths through activities like volunteering, job shadowing, and internships. The K12 Career Services Center offers online resources, including an internship search tool, to help them get started. 

4. Explore community activities. 

Local classes, academic and recreational camps, and community sports can provide structure and purpose for children who prefer the routine of the school year. Whether it’s a pottery class, a STEM camp, or a soccer team, these activities help develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.  

5. Play to learn. 

Games—whether classic arcade, puzzles, or role-playing—can boost motivation and engagement. Add an educational twist, and learning becomes entertainment. Language apps like Duolingo and platforms like K12 Skills Arcade are great tools that turn gaming into brain-boosting fun. 

By incorporating one or more of these activities into your child’s summer routine, you can help prevent learning loss and keep their mind engaged! Small, intentional changes like these can make a big difference and set your child up for a strong, confident start to the new school year.