Maybe a Summer-Slide Is Just What the Doctor Ordered?

Swimming Pool
Image from: Inter-fab Incorporated

Annually, this is the time of year parents and teachers share concerns that students forget academic concepts, since they’re not in school several months.  It’s often called, “Summer-Slide.”   Yet, how much does consistency affect students’ comprehension and academic progress?

Summer-slide, based solely on a lack of school, one, assumes teachers have done an inadequate job during the school year and that students have not done their job as learners for the past 9 months; and two, assumes “forgetting” or a lack of comprehension doesn’t happen during the school year, which overlooks any student’s (or our own) experience that concepts are memorized for a test and promptly forgotten the next week (or day.)

Perhaps, summer months give students’ minds a break to refresh and refocus, so more concepts can be learned.  They may even (re-)discover a talent or complete other needed tasks to help them focus when school starts again.  Listen to our next podcast about summer break’s possibilities.

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Jill Yoshikawa, Ed M, is a University of California and Harvard trained educator and Partner at Creative Marbles Consultancy. You can contact Jill at jill@creativemarbles.com or, read her short biography.

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About Jill Yoshikawa, Ed M, Partner of Creative Marbles Consultancy

Jill Yoshikawa, EdM, Harvard ’99, a seasoned, 25 year educator and consultant, is meticulous in helping clients navigate all aspects of the educational experience, no matter the level of complexity. She combines educational theory with experience to advise families, schools and educators. A UCSD and Harvard graduate, as well as a former high school teacher, Jill works tirelessly to help her clients succeed.
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