The summer holidays are fast approaching and parents will be left scrambling to find activities for their children. There will be many good non-academic options to choose from, but I suggest that parents should also consider some form of academic enhancement.

Loss of knowledge

Research has shown that during the summer break, many students lose knowledge and skills. In fact, studies have actually shown that students drop between one to three months’ worth of learning after a long summer vacation. This is quite alarming and should be of concern to parents, teachers and students. While it is important to have a break from school, do we want our children and students to lose valuable information? I would think not.

Students spend approximately nine months per year at school, leaving a two-month break for summer, and about two weeks each for the Christmas and Easter breaks. At the fifth and sixth form as well as tertiary levels, it’s as much as three months of summer break. This is quite a lot of time, and while relaxation is important, this time should not be wasted.

Instead of acquiring a new skill, increasing or maintaining knowledge, many students would much rather lounge around at home, watch television, play games and just do nothing at all. I do not support this. It does not make sense to forget what you have spent months learning at school. It has a negative impact on educators as, in many instances, material has to be retaught when students resume school in September. This is a huge waste of valuable classroom time that should be spent teaching new material.

Summer learning loss is real, and contributes significantly to underachievement at school. Parental action and involvement can go a far way in stopping the summer brain drain.

Summer learning programmes

Summer learning programmes are geared towards increasing student achievement in specific subjects. These programmes are especially useful for fourth formers about to enter fifth form, since their course of study is a two-year programme. It can be difficult for teachers to adequately cover the required material within classroom hours, and so a summer school which continues the syllabi and reinforces material already taught is invaluable.

I am not recommending that students enter an academic programme full-time during the summer. Rather, I am suggesting that a few hours be set aside each week for subjects that your child finds difficult.

Studies have shown that students who attend summer learning programmes perform better in school. However, these summer programmes need to be of high quality, and students need to attend regularly. When contemplating a summer academic programme, consider:

• Instructor qualifications and experience

Finding a competent and knowledgeable teacher is critical to improving learning, especially if your child is struggling in a particular area. Make sure to ask for the credentials of a prospective tutor.

• Class size

At school, class sizes can vary from 25-40 students. This makes it more difficult for the teacher to interact with each student. Therefore, summer provides an ideal opportunity for a smaller, more one-on-one environment. Preferably, parents should look for programmes which do not exceed five students per class.

• Location

Find a programme situated near to your place of work or home. This will make your life easier in terms of commuting.

• Duration

A programme that extends for a longer period during the summer will guarantee that students remember their studies. Search for programmes that extend for at least five weeks.

Alternatives

If it is not feasible for you to register your child in a summer learning programme, there are other things you can do to promote continuous learning. These are:

• Make regular trips to the library to guarantee the availability of books. Ensure that your child reads. This will improve grammar and vocabulary skills. Let your child write you a book review for each book that he/she reads.

• If possible, purchase workbooks for your child to practise. This is expressly useful for languages and calculation-based subjects such as mathematics, physics and chemistry. You may also obtain worksheets online.

• Urge your child to review notes for all subjects in the previous year. They can even rewrite all their notes, which will boost their memory.

• Have your child read the newspaper and discuss articles of interest.

• Find games involving mathematics to keep the analytical skills strong.

• Depending on your children’s age, let them plant and care for a vegetable garden. They could plant something fast-growing such as scallion, callaloo, peas, or corn. This will teach them valuable science skills and at the same time they will be cultivating something the family can eat.

Dr Karla Hylton is a graduate of the biotechnology programme at the University of the West Indies. She operates Bio and Chem Tutoring, a Kingston-based teaching programme which specialises in secondary-level biology and chemistry. Reach her at 404.4506, biochemtutor100@gmail.com, or www.khylton.com.