When we talk about keeping kids’ academic skills sharp during the summer, we usually talk about summer reading. All kids have summer reading assignments in one form or another. However, we know that losing ground in reading is highly correlated with socio-economic status. While kids from lower income communities typically experience a setback (referred to as the “summer slide”) in reading, kids from middle and upper income communities usually do not. But students, no matter what their socio-economic status, do lose ground in math. 

Think of reading as the star of the summer academic show and math as its ugly, neglected step-sister. But, studies conclude that the average student loses about 2.6 months of grade-level math skills over the summer months. I know, it’s disturbing.

If I ran the world, and I may one day so don’t laugh, I would alter the emphasis on summer assignments. I would create incentive programs to motivate kids to work on math skills the way libraries create incentive programs to get kids to read. But, since I don’t run the world (yet), I’ll share with you some painless ways to keep those math skills sharp:

• Have your child pay with cash at the store and have them make sure the change is correct. 
• Ask them to figure out tips at the restaurant (the EZ Tip Calculator function on their phone doesn’t count!).
• If you go shopping and there is a sale, ask them how much the item will be after the discount is taken off.
• If they are the entrepreneurial type, help them set up a small business, such as a lemonade stand or lawn mowing business. Show them how to calculate their profits after subtracting their costs.
• Going on a road trip? Ask them to figure out your mileage per gallon of gas.
• A great way to work on fractions is to have them bake or cook. For an extra challenge, have them double the recipes.
• If your child is a “screen” kid, there are a ton of math computer games of all levels.
• Do you have a kid who lives and breathes sports like mine do? Sports (particularly baseball) are loaded with statistics: RBIs, ERAs, slugging percentages, RISPs, etc. 
• There are also many books with wonderful illustrations, like “Grapes of Math” for younger kids and the Manga series of graphic novels for older kids. Try the “Manga Guide to Calculus” or the “Manga Guide to Statistics” (the Manga books also cover many science topics as well).    

And, the best part is you can use these tips without your kid even realizing they are practicing math skills – that is, if they don’t put 2+2 together.

Sue Schaefer is a certified teacher, Academic Coach and Student Advocate. We encourage you to visit her website: Academic Coaching Associates and to submit your education questions to Sue at susan.schaefer@academiccoachingct.com.