Summer learning loss… summer regression… the summer slide. Whatever you call it, the fact is that many students lose ground after heading home for the summer. And after all the ground lost during school closures during the pandemic, it’s more important than ever that we do what we can to minimize any further damage as school comes to a close for the year.
Thank you to our guess blogger, Scott Winstead of MyElearningWorld.com!
However, as a teacher, you might find yourself throwing your hands up in the air, at a complete loss as to what to do once the kids leave your classroom. After all, you know that many parents are busy working and that it can be hard to find the time to sit with their children and help them learn.
As a result, many kids will fill their summer days inside staring at their devices.
In fact, we know that kids 8-10 years old will spend an average of six hours a day staring at their screens.
And we also have data suggesting a link between more screen time and lower scores on language and thinking tests, along with negative effects on critical thinking skills.
So, what’s a teacher to do?
Look, you aren’t going to convince most parents to make their kids stop using devices during the summer. It just isn’t realistic.
However, what you can do is help educate parents to use their child’s screen time in a way that will limit the amount of summer learning loss.
In fact, you might even be able to help them to turn their child’s screen time into something that will actually reverse the learning loss altogether.
Here are some tips you can share with parents to make sure their child’s screen time is still educational:
Not only will this help to limit screen time, but it will also encourage kids to do other activities that are important for their development. Want to help get parents jump started? Download the free printable summer screen time check list I’ve included at the end of the article!
We know that setting limits is important, but it can be hard for parents to do on their own. After all, they don’t want to be the “bad guy” and end up in a battle with their child. So, why not offer to help? You can provide parents with guidelines for how much screen time is appropriate for each age group.
One idea is to provide parents with a checklist of things kids need to do before they’re allowed to use their device each day during the summer. For example, you might suggest that kids need to:
If they complete all the activities on the list, then they can have screen time. If not, they need to wait until tomorrow.
Not only will this help to limit screen time, but it will also encourage kids to do other activities that are important for their development.
Want to help get parents jump started? Download the free printable summer screen time check list I’ve included at the end of the article!
Just because kids are using their devices doesn’t mean they can’t be learning at the same time.
In fact, there are tons of great educational apps and websites out there that can help kids learn while they’re having fun. Share some of your favorites with parents and encourage them to download them for their child.
You could even provide a list of recommended apps and websites for parents.
Now, it’s important to note that even with educational games and apps, too much screen time can still be harmful. So, make sure to reiterate the importance of setting limits.
Learning doesn’t have to be a solo activity. There are plenty of great games that the whole family can enjoy while they’re spending time together. And not only will kids have fun, but they’ll also be learning without even realizing it. Win-win!
Of course, parents often work during the week and can’t always be around to play with the kids. That said, it’s worth making sure that their babysitter or whoever is watching them is getting involved as well.
What did kids do in the summer before screens were a thing?
They played outside!
So, that’s still a great option for kids today. Make sure to encourage parents to send their kids outside to play. And if they need some ideas for outdoor activities, you can provide them with a list of fun things for kids to do outside.
Need some ideas for what kids can do outside during the summer? Here are a few:
Another way to encourage kids to limit their screen time is to use it as a reward for good behavior. For example, if a child cleans up their room without being asked, they can have 30 minutes of screen time. If they finish their homework without complaining, they can have another 30 minutes. And so on…
This is a great way to help kids limit their screen time because it allows them to “earn” it by doing other things that are important.
Summer learning loss is a real problem, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these tips, you can help parents to make sure their child’s screen time is still educational and that they’re getting enough outdoor time to stay active.
Oh, and don’t forget to download the free summer screen time checklist printable!
Scott Winstead is the founder of MyElearningWorld.com, where he has shared his expertise in online learning for the last decade.
Minds in Bloom
