Motivating Young Students to Avoid the Summer Slide
February 2nd, 2026
The school year is quickly coming to a close and before long teachers and students will be packing up and heading out for a nice, long summer break. While the break might be a fun, relaxing time for some young children, summer can mean an empty stomach and loss of learning for many others.
Summer learning loss , also referred to as the summer slide, is the loss of academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer vacation, and it is a real phenomenon in the United States that has been proven by research. Children, especially those from families of low socioeconomic status, may gain very little in reading achievement levels and even fall behind during the break. Researchers have found that a student’s learning environment outside of school over those summer months may have more of an impact on his academic success up through high school than it does over the course of an entire school year.
While you cannot control your students’ learning environment outside of school, you can motivate them to find or create their own positive, learning-rich environment while they are on summer break. Here are some tips to help. Share them with parents and ask for their help with encouraging students to keep learning all summer long.
- Ask students to find a quiet spot, inside or outside, and set aside time to read every day. Reading is one of the best things a student can do to continue learning over the summer.
- Send each student home with a book. Libraries and communities often hold book sales where you can buy books or a bag of books for very little cost. Plan ahead and collect books over the school year to make it even easier.
- Encourage students to visit the local library. If they can easily get there, the library might just be your students’ favorite spot for the summer. They can access books, DVDs, computers, reading programs and other events offered by the library.
- Contact the local library to find a bookmobile in your area. Get a copy of the summer schedule and distribute it to students before the last day of school. This offers a nice alternative for students who may not be able to get to the local library.
- Provide a suggested summer reading list. List books appropriate for your students’ reading levels and include those you think might be fun and interesting to them.
- Get the entire school involved. Give students a reading log they can use to keep track of the books they read over the summer. Then, at the beginning of the next school year, the school can reward students based on the number of books they read. For example, hold an ice cream social if students read X number of books. If they read fewer books, you can reward students with smaller prizes, like stickers. The idea is to give them something to look forward to for keeping up with reading and learning during the break.
- Let students know where they can get free meals over the summer to keep up their energy and openness to learning. Find a Summer Food Service Program at http://www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks or call 1-866-3 HUNGRY.
Do you have other tips or ideas to motivate your students to avoid the summer slide? Share them with us on the GrapeSEED Facebook page
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February is a unique moment in the school year: routines have been established, students are settled, and teachers can clearly see areas of growth as well as emerging needs. It’s also a natural pause before the busy spring months. All of this makes February an ideal time to reflect and to look ahead. For multilingual learners, what happens after the school year ends matters more than we often realize. The Summer Learning Opportunity Extended breaks can unintentionally slow language development, particularly in listening, vocabulary, and verbal confidence. However, when summer instruction is intentional and well designed, it can do more than maintain progress—it can accelerate it. The key is ensuring summer learning feels inviting, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. What Works for Young Language Learners Effective summer language programs share common elements that support growth without feeling like “more school”: A low-stress environment where students feel comfortable taking risks with language Consistent exposure to English through stories, songs, shared reading, and movement Natural repetition and routine that strengthen foundational English language skills Multi-sensory learning experiences that keep students engaged and motivated When language is experienced rather than practiced in isolation, children remain curious, confident, and connected. Why February Is the Time to Think Ahead February isn’t about making immediate decisions—it’s about asking the right questions: How can summer learning support language development without burnout? What experiences will help students feel successful and excited to learn? How can summer instruction align with the strengths of our school-year approach? Exploring these questions now allows schools to plan thoughtfully rather than reactively. A Season for Planting Ideas Strong summer programs build on what young learners love most—music, stories, movement, and interaction—while quietly reinforcing the language skills they need to grow. February offers the space to imagine a summer experience that supports continuity, confidence, and joyful learning long after winter fades. Ready to learn how GrapeSEED can be a meaningful part of your school’s summer learning?
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January is the season of decluttering, but in schools, it’s about clearing space for what truly matters! This month’s blog explores how thoughtful organization supports multilingual learners and why strong language systems are worth keeping. A little clarity now can create momentum that lasts all year… and beyond!
The new year is a perfect time for reflection and renewal—not just for us, but for our students, too. After a long winter break, January offers a natural opportunity to revisit and reinforce classroom routines and procedures, especially in multilingual classrooms where clarity and consistency are key to helping all students feel secure and successful. For multilingual learners, routines are more than just classroom management—they provide language-rich structures that support understanding, reduce anxiety, and foster confidence. Whether students are newcomers or have been learning English for years, a clear and predictable environment helps them focus on learning rather than guessing what’s expected. Start the month by gently reviewing procedures: entering the classroom, transitioning between activities, participating in group work, asking for help, and using classroom materials. Model each step and invite students to demonstrate, using visuals, gestures, and multilingual supports when possible. Pair verbal directions with pictures or sentence stems to help students connect words with actions. This not only aids comprehension, it builds community and shared responsibility. Remember, reviewing routines isn’t about enforcing rules—it’s about resetting the tone for a peaceful, productive, and joyful classroom. Make space for students to share what helps them learn best and celebrate the positive habits they already bring with them. By investing time in January to revisit expectations with warmth and intention, you're setting the stage for a second half of the school year filled with growth, laughter, and learning—for every student, in every language.
