The academic year at an international school is a period of intense effort for students, teachers, and parents, all striving to ensure learners acquire the skills they need. When the summer holidays arrive, everyone takes a well-earned rest. However, as Autumn approaches, many students return to school with diminished skills, losing some of the academic progress they made the previous year. This phenomenon, known as the ‘summer slide’ or ‘brain drain’, can have a significant impact on expat students from international schools. In this blog post, we will explore the impacts of summer slide and provide tips for expat parents to support continued learning over the summer.

What Is the Summer Slide? 

Summer slide refers to the learning loss that many students experience during the summer months when they are away from the structured learning environment of an International School. While summer holidays are a cherished time for relaxation and fun, it can negatively impact student learning. Many students return to school in Term One in their international school to find they have fallen behind in their studies due to the lack of educational engagement over the summer.

The Impacts of Summer Learning Loss Studies primarily focus on losses in reading and mathematics, but other areas can also be affected. Younger learners, especially those in Grade 3 (Year 4) through Grade 5 (Year 6), can lose up to 20 percent of their reading gains and 27 percent of their math gains over the summer. They are also at risk of losing social skills due to reduced interaction with peers. While older students might experience varied impacts based on the activities they have been engaged in over the summer holidays.

Second-Language Learners from international schools are disproportionately impacted by summer slide. English language learners (ELLs) and those in language immersion programs may lose more over the summer due to limited exposure to the target language and lack of accessible academic support.

Expat Students may also be more impacted due to the extended summer break in international schools, sometimes as long as 8-9 weeks. The longer break can exacerbate the summer slide, making it even more crucial to find ways to maintain learning during the vacation.

Avoid the Summer Slide

The key to keeping on top of children’s studies over the summer is simple – keep them learning! This doesn’t mean spending hours a day reading over past learning; it could be as easy as taking 20 minutes to apply some previous learning to a real-life situation. For example, have they been learning about percentages in maths? See if they can work out what your family will save by using a discount code to get into a theme park. 

Here are other fun ways to incorporate learning into your summer break:

Continue Reading

No matter the age or stage of your child, reading is likely to be the number one activity to reduce the loss of learning over the summer months. Reading can help retain knowledge and consolidate understanding, whilst improving vocabulary and writing skills. It doesn’t have to be a textbook; they can find something enjoyable, like a novel or a magazine. If fiction isn’t appealing, try articles/blogs on topics of interest. If there is resistance to reading in the traditional sense, try adding purpose to it, by weaving opportunities to read into something meaningful you’ll likely get less ‘push-back’. For example, ask your child to plan a day out on your vacation, let them be the decision-maker for activities that day providing they can show they have done their research- it’s difficult to research without reading! Audio books can also be a great tool whilst traveling, whilst these don’t provide decoding practise, they can be a wonderful way to improve the comprehension elements of reading whilst allowing children to engage with texts that beyond their decoding capabilities- thus exposing them to richer vocabulary and narrative voice than they might get from reading stage-appropriate books.

Bring Maths to Life

Learning loss in mathematics can be more notable than in reading, so finding some focus on maths in the summer is essential. Again, this does not have to be a ‘sit-down and complete calculations’ type activity. Get creative and bring maths to life! Make it a family affair by playing chess, card games, or baking/ DIY (lots of measurements involved). If there’s something your child wants to do, or somewhere they want to go, ask them to create a budget of what that day might look like financially. Companies such as GoHenry can support your child’s financial literacy skills with this by teaching your teen to be smart with money and understand its value. Apps and puzzles can also challenge logical thinking without taking up too much time.

Check Out Local Webinars or Workshops 

Attending webinars and workshops in a different context to those provided at their international schools can offer valuable insights into college/university admissions, career exploration, or skill-building. College/university-focused webinars can offer guidance on application processes and essay writing, while career exploration events connect students with industry professionals. These events are great for networking opportunities, allowing older students to set longer-term goals and build global connections with experts and peers.

Practice Exams to Boost Confidence 

Summer is an ideal time for standardized test preparation without the distractions of a busy international school schedule. Setting aside a few hours during the break for practice exams can help students become familiar with the exam formatting and timing, and identify areas needing improvement. This preparation can significantly reduce anxiety and increase confidence, as students will feel more comfortable and prepared when they sit for the actual exams. The flexibility of summer allows for choosing study times that suit individual preferences, making the preparation process less stressful and more effective. Thinking about study skills in this way can allow for students to gain a greater understanding of who they are as learners. It encourages self-reflection by asking children to think about what works and what doesn’t work for them as they learn new material, giving them vital insight in how to ‘work smarter, not harder’.

Brush Up on Language Skills 

To help your children maintain and enhance their language skills over the summer months, consider using language learning apps such as Duolingo or Babbel. These apps are excellent tools for reviewing and acquiring new language skills, offering free, user-friendly, and engaging interactive exercises that make learning enjoyable. Incorporating these apps into your children’s summer routine can ensure they continue to progress and stay motivated in their language learning journey.

Start a Passion Project 

Passion projects are driven by personal interests and offer your child/ren a chance to explore their passions, pursue goals, and engage in self-directed learning. Whether it’s creating a podcast, starting a YouTube channel, or launching a community service initiative, these projects provide opportunities for students to showcase their unique talents and make a meaningful impact.

Encourage Sensory Rest as a Nourishing Essential 

Growing up in a melting pot of cultures means expat children are exposed to rich and diverse opportunities, and international schools provide a truly unique learning environment, but they can also be overstimulating. When academic rigor is combined with a wealth of extracurricular options, students frequently find themselves navigating a demanding and densely packed schedule that exposes them to a multitude of sensory inputs. This constant motion and variety of sensory inputs, including the noise of bustling school hallways, the multiple languages, the physical exertion of sports, and the mental focus required for academic and artistic endeavors, can quickly lead to sensory overload. When children are continually on the move, their brains and bodies have little time to rest and process the vast amount of information and experiences they encounter, this can negatively impact the nervous system. Sensory input is not inherently bad, but when children experience too much of it without any breaks, they encounter sensory fatigue.

To mitigate the effects of overstimulation from packed timetables and busy extracurricular schedules during the academic year in an international school, it is crucial to incorporate activities and practices into the summer holidays that promote sensory rest and balance. Here are some strategies to help your child recharge:

Encourage Unstructured Play: Allow your child plenty of free time to play and explore without a set agenda in the summer holidays. This fosters creativity and gives their brain a break from structured activities.

Engage in Nature Activities and Minimise Screen Time: 

Spending time in nature and away from technology during the summer break is a rejuvenating way for students to enhance their well-being. Screens emit stimulating light and sounds that can disrupt sleep patterns and cognitive relaxation. Disconnecting from technology allows students to fully immerse themselves in natural surroundings, it not only sparks creativity and inspiration but also provides a valuable opportunity to recharge and unwind, fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Promote Mindfulness and Relaxation: 

Introduce mindfulness practices such as yoga, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises. These activities can help your child develop coping mechanisms for managing stress and sensory overload as they get ready to return to their international school after the summer holidays. 

Create Quiet Spaces: Designate a quiet area at home where your child can retreat to relax and unwind. Fill it with comforting items like books, soft blankets, and calming music.

Maintain a Routine: While flexibility is important during the summer holidays, maintaining a basic daily routine can provide a sense of stability and security. Ensure that your child has regular sleep, meal, and rest times.

Foster Family Time: Simply spending quality time with family and friends who they might not get to connect with in everyday expat life. Engage in low-key activities such as cooking, gardening, or playing simple games. This can strengthen emotional bonds and provide a sense of calm during their break from their international school.

Encourage Hobbies: Support your child in pursuing hobbies they enjoy that are less intense and more restorative, like painting, crafting, or reading.

Plan Low-Key Outings: Opt for outings that are enjoyable such as visiting a library, going to a museum, or spending a day at the beach. 

Incorporate Rest Days: Ensure there are days with no planned activities, allowing your child to rest and engage in spontaneous, self-chosen activities. Yes, they might get bored, but they will soon get bored of being bored and will likely get creative!

As expat parents, by incorporating these practices into the summer holidays, you can help your children retain their academic skills and be ready to thrive in the new year at their international school. Summer learning loss doesn’t have to be a setback; with the right approach, it can be an opportunity for growth and exploration. The strategies above can help your child decompress, reflect, recharge, and find a healthy balance, preparing them to return to their international school year feeling refreshed and ready to engage lifelong learning.

For more advice on finding an international school that is just right for you and your family, visit ED-SG.