1. It keeps Summer Brain Drain at bay.
It has many names: “summer learning loss,” “summer slide,” the dreaded “brain drain.” Whatever you call it, it’s responsible for most children losing 2 months of math, reading, and writing skills by the time they return from summer vacation, and it contributes greatly to the achievement gap between low-income and high-income students. Children who are involved in summer academic enrichment programs are proven to retain far more of their academic skills than their peers, and they are more prepared to take on the challenges of the next school year!
2. It instills healthy studying habits.
There’s no getting around it–homework and study is absolutely vital to school success. And yet, so many children haven’t developed the “homework habit.” Every afternoon can turn into a power-struggle between your child and their academic obligations. With tablets, television, and video games posing a constant distraction, it’s no wonder that children have a hard time motivating themselves to hit the books. That’s where summer enrichment programs come in. Many of these programs help your child get into the habit of setting aside an hour or two each day for focused and uninterrupted studying. With practiced teachers who are experienced in motivating students, summer academic enrichment makes learning fun!
3. It personalizes your child’s education.
Do you ever feel like your child is getting lost in the shuffle at school? With classroom sizes at an all-time high, and school teachers at their wit’s end, many students don’t get the individualized instruction that they need to boost their grades. Summer enrichment programs effectively combat this trend by creating customized learning plans based on your child’s individual strengths and weaknesses. Plus, instead of pushing your child too far or holding your child back to stay with the ability levels of their peers, these programs allow your child to progress at her or his own pace.
4. It inspires your child to ask questions.
When teachers speed through topics to keep up with state standards, students will miss important points. And in a class with 34 children, it’s almost impossible to get your questions answered! Students feel demoralized when they don’t get a chance to clarify what confuses them. In summer academic enrichment programs, children work in small groups and have constant access to their teachers, making it easy to ask questions in the moment. Students don’t move to the next topic unless they fully understand the previous one, helping to build a solid foundation as the skills become more difficult.
5. It prepares your child for state tests – without the anxiety!
“State tests”–the phrase itself can instill fear into the hearts of students and parents alike. With administrations that depend on good test grades for their federal funding, faculty are forced to cast aside solid teaching methods for quick-fix state-test cram sessions. Far from being beneficial, these rush sessions actually harm students’ ability to remember those skills in the long term. In summer academic programs, students can comfortably develop the skills they need without cramming–and without stress!