Preventing summer learning loss is a top concern for many families. This is especially true for parents of K–12 students with special needs. As a special education advocate, I work with parents throughout their child’s education. This topic comes up at every stage of the journey.
Strategies to Keep Kids Engaged Over Summer Break
How can you help your child stay prepared for the next school year while still enjoying the summer? It’s possible to do both. Over the years, friends and clients have shared creative strategies that keep kids learning without taking away the fun.
Pick a Summer Theme: A Creative Tool for Preventing Summer Learning Loss
My friend and fellow advocate Neera does this every summer. She follows a few clear rules to make sure they stick with it. She creates a guideline for the summer theme. It has to be informative and advance their educational interests in some way. Some examples of her summer themes have included:
- The future and steps children can take now to prepare for their future.
- Educational topics such as space, the ocean, or history.
- Downsizing various collections. This was ingenious, as they were moving homes.
This summer, our theme is gardening. My teenagers with ADHD are all in. They’re excited to get their hands dirty and learn about native plants.
Use Travel to Inspire Curiosity and Cultural Awareness
If you are traveling or relocating this summer, learning about your destination is essential. The history, geography, food, and cultural events are a great way to keep them actively learning while bringing other cultures to life. Although my family does not often travel, except to visit extended family, we make a point in the summer to learn about other cultures. My friend Mitch, formerly a military family accustomed to PCSs, would take a cultural celebration, such as Bastille Day, and learn alongside her kids about the holiday, prepare food for the festivities, and learn some French words. You don’t have to travel this summer to expose your children to new cultures.
Create an Ideas Board to Fight Summer Learning Loss Together
Mitch would also have an “ideas board” where someone would bring up a topic of interest, and it would be added to the board. They would then select a topic from the board and learn as much as they could about it together. I like the idea of learning alongside your children. It’s less like school, and the enthusiasm rubs off!
Preventing Summer Learning Loss with Daily and Weekly Routines
Setting expectations and routines at the start of summer is helpful, especially if you’re home with your kids. At our house, we have three lists: daily routines, such as chores and pet care; daily reading time with a chapter book and a favorite book; and weekly activities, including library visits, pool trips, playground visits, and walks. We also maintain a master list of fun things to do, and we select one each week to look forward to—nothing expensive is needed. Michelle Norman, Partners in PROMISE (PiP) Executive Director and Founder, still uses a summer task list. When kids get bored or reach for devices, they check the list to make sure they’ve done creative or constructive activities that day.
Tap into the Power of Your Local Library
Local libraries remain one of the most underrated resources within communities. Be sure to check out their summer programming. My local library offers an extensive free summer program that includes a visit from a petting zoo, featuring alpacas. The library is also a great place to find other free events in your community. Library reading time is ideal for our pre-readers, and the summer reading programs are designed for all grade levels and abilities.
Learn as You Go: A Hands-On Approach to Preventing Summer Learning Loss
Summer lets kids experience learning beyond the classroom walls. A multisensory approach helps all learners, especially those with neurodiversity. This means taking advantage of everyday learning moments and encouraging curiosity and critical thinking. Younger kids can practice reading street signs or help with grocery lists. Exploring nature, such as watching birds or gardening, helps apply knowledge to real-life situations. Don’t hesitate to get messy outdoors—these experiences make learning meaningful. Whether your summer includes camps, travel, or relaxing at home, focus on enjoying the small moments.
About the Author: Lyzette Turner
Lyzette Turner is a Special Education Advocate who provides support to families through the IEP eligibility process and beyond. She is dedicated to working with families to ensure that their children’s needs are identified and addressed through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, Jeff, a Navy veteran, their three children, and their dog, as well as cats and a turtle.
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