Summer learning loss: what the research says and what helps
TutorAura guide · Updated
Summer learning loss, sometimes called the "summer slide", is the idea that children forget some of what they learned during the long summer break. A widely cited review of 39 studies found that, on average, test scores fell by about one month's worth of learning over the summer, with maths facts and procedures slipping more than reading (Cooper et al., 1996).
More recent research suggests the size of the effect depends heavily on how it's measured (von Hippel and Hamrock, 2019), so it's not a cause for panic. A little regular practice is a sensible, low-cost way to keep skills fresh.
Key takeaways
- Early research found about a month of loss on average.
- Maths computation and spelling were most affected.
- Newer research says the size of the effect is uncertain.
- A few short sessions a week is enough to keep skills ticking over.
What the research says
- Cooper et al. (1996), a review of 39 studies: average loss of about one month on a grade-level scale. Losses were largest for maths computation and spelling: facts and procedures that fade without practice. Reading differed by family income: middle-income children tended to gain slightly in reading over the summer, while lower-income children tended to lose ground.
- Von Hippel and Hamrock (2019) re-examined the evidence and found that some apparent summer losses and widening gaps were artefacts of how tests were scaled. Their conclusion is that summer effects are smaller and less consistent than often claimed.
The takeaway: some forgetting is normal when skills aren't used, especially for maths facts, but the big numbers sometimes quoted online aren't well supported.
Simple ways to help
- Read for pleasure. Library visits and choosing their own books keep reading going without it feeling like school.
- Keep maths facts warm: 10 minutes, two or three times a week. Our times tables quiz is free and quick.
- Everyday maths: cooking (fractions and measures), shopping (money and percentages), journeys (time and distance).
- Write for real: postcards, a holiday diary, a recipe.
- Review before term: in the last two weeks of the holiday, look back over last year's key topics.
What about summer schools?
The Education Endowment Foundation reports that pupils who attend a summer school make about two additional months' progress on average, with the largest gains (around four months) from programmes that include small-group tuition from trained teachers (EEF). They note that attendance is a challenge: in two EEF-funded trials, fewer than half of the target pupils attended.
Keep it light
Holidays are also for rest, play and family time, which matter for wellbeing and motivation. Aim for little and often rather than workbooks every morning. If your child is behind in a particular area, a short, focused plan for the summer (two or three 20-minute sessions a week) can help them start the new year with confidence. See how to help your child with maths at home for ideas.
A sample summer week
| Day | Activity (10 to 20 minutes) |
|---|---|
| Monday | Library visit or reading a chosen book |
| Tuesday | Times tables or number facts game |
| Wednesday | Reading |
| Thursday | Cooking or shopping maths |
| Friday | Write a postcard or diary entry |
| Weekend | Free time and family activities |
Keep it flexible around holidays and trips; consistency over the summer matters more than any single week.
Frequently asked questions
Should my child do workbooks over the summer?
A little can help if your child is happy to do it, but it isn't necessary. Short games, reading and everyday maths often work just as well and feel less like school.
Do summer reading challenges help?
They're a good way to keep children reading for pleasure. Many public libraries run a free summer reading challenge each year. Reading regularly is the most useful thing, whatever the format.
Is summer learning loss real?
Some forgetting over a long break is normal, especially for maths facts and spelling. Early research put it at about a month of learning on average; more recent studies suggest the size of the effect is uncertain and depends on how it's measured.
How much should my child study over the summer?
Not much. Regular reading plus two or three short maths sessions a week is plenty for most children. The goal is to keep skills ticking over, not to start next year's work.
Which subjects slip most over the summer?
Research found the biggest drops in maths computation and spelling, which depend on practised facts and procedures. Reading tends to hold up better, especially for children who keep reading.
Sources
- The Effects of Summer Vacation on Achievement Test Scores: A Narrative and Meta-Analytic Review. Review of Educational Research (Cooper et al., 1996).
- Do Test Score Gaps Grow before, during, or between the School Years? Measurement Artifacts and What We Can Know in Spite of Them. Sociological Science (von Hippel and Hamrock, 2019).
- Summer schools: what the evidence tells us and what it doesn't. Education Endowment Foundation.
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