What is summer learning loss, and how can it be prevented?

Although learning loss often takes place during the school holidays (known most commonly as summer learning loss), there’s currently additional concern that school closures may have exaggerated its effect.

While learning loss may sound worrying, the good news is that there’s no need to fret! Whether your child has been set lots of work by their school or you think they may be a little behind, there are lots of ways they can soon get back on track.


What is summer learning loss?

Summer learning loss is the decline of knowledge that can occur when a child is away from school for a prolonged period of time. It usually takes place when children aren’t regularly revising key knowledge they’ve been taught in the classroom.

According to a recent review of thirteen academic studies, the average summer learning loss experienced by kids is estimated to be the equivalent of one month of an academic year!

What impact did school closures have on learning loss?

As schools hadn’t been closed for such a prolonged period of time since World War II, education specialists aren’t quite sure how much of an impact the closures will have had. 

Tes Global found that 70% of teachers didn’t think pupils had adapted well to distance learning, while the Best Schools Guide found that over half of parents were unhappy with their child’s academic progress during lockdown. Most worryingly, there was also concern that isolation away from their peers had resulted in a decline in children’s wellbeing.

However, it wasn’t all bad news. Interactive learning methods, such as live or recorded videos, interactive experiences such as DoodleMaths and real-life projects, were well received by teachers, parents and pupils


How can learning loss be prevented?

Overcoming learning loss doesn’t mean that your child needs to buckle down with mountains of books and wave goodbye to their summer.

The key to beating brain drain isn’t to try and learn as many new topics as possible to get ahead in the curriculum. Instead, it’s to practise and revise areas that have already been taught for a few minutes every day, or ‘little and often’. 

To really level up their learning, working in the zone of proximal development – what a child can do with and without help – is also key. By setting work that’s not too easy or too hard, children can work independently and continually progress. This will also help to build their confidence! 

Although this sounds fantastic in theory, you may be wondering, ‘How can I do all this at home?’. Well, that’s where Doodle comes in! 


Combating learning loss with Doodle

According to a study by the University of Bath, using DoodleMaths for just 20 minutes a week is scientifically proven to prevent learning loss. In fact, children who used it over the summer scored an average of 9.4% higher in maths tests upon their return to school than those who didn’t.

Best of all, DoodleMaths is designed to be used ‘little and often’, so it easily fits around your summer activities. It can even be accessed offline, so children can use it outdoors in the sunshine!

Children using Doodle can join our annual Summer Challenge, an exciting event that helps to inspire them to continue their learning at home over the holidays.

Best of all, all those who take part can earn an exclusive pin badge and certificate!

By incorporating interactive educational experiences such as DoodleMaths into your summer, your child can get back on track in their learning in no time.

Click here to find out more, and use the code 1_FREE_MONTH to get 1 month of Doodle for absolutely free!

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