Usually around the first of February our phone here at the office starts to ring from people inquiring about our summer programs for their kids. That is about the time that we and many other organizations that provide this type of programs are working on getting their information out and getting their programs planned. These summer activities are fun and they keep the kids busy.

However, there is a fairly serious reason for getting kids involved in summer activities and that is a thing called summer learning loss. What is that you say? According to the Brookings Institute “as students return to school in the fall, many of them will be starting the academic year with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of summer break. This phenomenon - sometimes referred to as summer learning loss, summer setback, or summer slide - has been of interest to education researchers going back as far as 1906.” In other words, they go backwards in their abilities in math and reading and other areas. I think we can all agree that keeping little minds busy and continuing to learn in the summer is a good thing. See the video link for a short explanation of learning loss and economic factors.

That is why I am encouraging and challenging you to start thinking now about lining up some educational activities for your kids this summer. There are many opportunities out there - trips to the zoo, the library, summer vacation trips and many other activities that can include an educational component. Many organizations such as N.C. Cooperative Extension, YMCA, and our public schools offer summer camps, day camps, and daily educational programs and experiences throughout the summer. These programs provide opportunities for your kids to continue learning, exploring, and meeting new people during the summer months. Keep watch for our summer offerings and the offerings of other organizations in our community.