Summer is a time for students to take a break from the rigors of school, but maintaining a learning mindset can be beneficial. They don’t have to be focused on schoolwork for hours a day, but regular review and enrichment can fight back again the dreaded “summer slide” and make the transition in the fall easier. (Summer slide refers to the learning loss that often occurs when students are not in school for several weeks.)
Summer tutoring can be a great way to help your child get ahead and feel more confident going into the next school year, especially if they’ll be starting middle school, high school, or college. Talk to your child about specific areas they want to focus on. Perhaps they had trouble with the quadratic formula or analyzing poetry. Maybe they struggled with how to study for tests or approach different types of exam questions. Or maybe they are worried about managing their time or taking AP level courses. Summer break is a great time to address these concerns because they aren’t trying to balance all of the demands of the school year.
Benefits of Summer Tutoring
Preparing for the SAT or ACT
Without having to worry about other tests or homework, students can devote their time to getting ready for the SAT or ACT. They can focus on specific areas they want to review and develop more effective test taking skills. There is no rush to cram everything in during a short period of time, and test prep can be tailored to their specific needs and goals.
Reinforcing Foundational Knowledge
Many courses build on each other from year to year. If there are concepts your child struggled with in pre-algebra, that can make algebra more difficult. Or skills they had trouble with in English 9 that will come up again in English 10. Over the summer, they can make sure that they have a strong grasp of key concepts and begin previewing topics they’ll see the next year. They can better understand how skills fit together.
Strengthening Study Skills, Organization, or Executive Functioning
There are a lot of skills required in school beyond just academics. Students may understand the content well but have trouble keeping themselves and their notes organized. They may not know how to take effective notes or approach studying for a big exam. They may have difficulty staying focused and planning ahead to ensure assignments are completed on time. Summer tutoring can help them strengthen these abilities so they can start the new school year on the right foot.
Reducing Boredom
Let’s face it, the first few days of summer break are exciting because there is no school, but then kids can become bored without having structure, routine, or a variety of activities to fill their day. They need to keep their mind active and engaged. Tutoring can help them stay in a learning mindset and use those questioning, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. Knowing that they have tutoring once or twice a week can be something they look forward to and provide not only remediation but enrichment as well.
Make tutoring part of your child’s summer schedule and keep them on track for fall. Help them get ahead and feel more prepared for their upcoming classes. Every year is different, but knowing that they have the resources, tools, and support necessary to succeed can be empowering. Contact Crafting Scholars today to reserve your child’s spot for summer!