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Is the 'Summer Learning Loss' a Myth?
July 8, 2010 Updated Jul 8, 2010 at 4:03 PM EDT

Researchers have been studying `summer learning loss' in school children ever since 1906. They can now quantify just how much school work kids forget over the summer, and not all kids will fall behind when they go to school next fall.

According to research from Johns Hopkins University, many kids forget some of what they've learned in school. By the end of the summer, they can lose months worth of knowledge. But, parents can help keep kids on track with refresher work. It turns out, the key is to make learning fun, especially during the summer. For example, have kids write out math problems with shaving cream. It's also important to make time for regular summer fun, like basketball and skateboarding. This way, come fall, students will be ready to learn.

All young people do experience learning losses when they don't have summer learning activities, but researchers say lower income kids are hit the hardest.

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