Summer is the season of sunshine, adventure, and well-deserved breaks. But it’s also a time when children often lose some of the academic skills they worked so hard to build during the school year. This learning loss, often called the “summer slide”, can make the return to school harder and leave kids feeling discouraged come the fall.

The good news? With a thoughtful plan and a little creativity, your nanny can help children keep their skills sharp while making summer fun.

1) What the summer slide is (and why it matters)

The summer slide refers to the learning loss that many students experience during the long break from structured academics over the summer. According to research, students can lose:

• Up to 20% of school-year gains in reading
• Up to 27% of gains in math

In addition, children ages 3-7 are at risk of losing some of their fine motor skills that they’ve worked hard to learn and perfect. These losses are most common when kids have little access to reading, enrichment activities, or skill practice over the summer. While the break is important for rest and play, small efforts to keep minds (and fingers!) engaged can make a big difference in how kids feel when they return to school.

2) How nannies can help prevent learning loss

Nannies are in a unique position to support children’s learning during the summer months. Unlike formal tutoring, a nanny’s help can feel organic, relaxed, and woven into the rhythm of everyday life.

Here’s how nannies can help:

• Set summer learning goals: Work with parents to identify key skills to maintain (e.g., sight words, multiplication facts, handwriting).
• Create a flexible routine: Set aside a short block of time each day (even 15-30 minutes!) for focused learning.
• Use everyday moments for teaching: From counting change at the ice cream truck to reading signs at the park, nannies can find learning opportunities everywhere.
• Encourage curiosity: Summer is a perfect time for exploring kids’ interests through books, projects, and hands-on activities.

The goal is to help kids keep growing, without making summer feel like school.

3) Simple ideas to weave learning into summer fun

a) Reading

• Start a summer book club: Choose age-appropriate books and set fun milestones (with little rewards!) for each one finished.
• Read aloud together: Even older kids benefit from hearing rich language and storytelling.
• Visit libraries and bookshops: Make outings around choosing new books part of your weekly adventures.

b) Writing

• Encourage journaling: Let kids document summer memories (and practice their fine motor skills) with words, drawings, or photos.
• Send postcards: If you’re traveling (or staying local), have kids write postcards to friends or family outlining their adventures.
• Create stories: Build fun stories together or encourage kids to write their own comic strips.

c) Math

• Cooking together: Measuring ingredients is great for practicing fractions and multiplication, all while engaging their fine motor skills.
• Games and puzzles: Board games, card games, and logic puzzles build problem-solving skills in playful ways.
• Shopping practice: Have older kids help calculate costs and change during errands.

d) Science and exploration

• Nature walks: Identify plants, bugs, or birds together.
• Simple experiments: Try fun at-home science projects, like making slime, creating vinegar-and-baking-soda volcanoes, or growing herbs.
• Stargazing or gardening: Bring learning into real-world contexts that spark wonder.

4) How families and nannies can team up to make a plan

The most successful summer learning plans are those where nannies and families collaborate. Here’s how to get started:

a) Set clear goals together

• What subjects or skills do parents want to prioritize?
• Are there specific school recommendations (like summer reading lists)?
• What are the child’s interests, and how can learning connect to them?

b) Make it fun and flexible

No child wants summer to feel like endless homework. Aim for:

• Short, consistent sessions
• Play-based learning where possible
• A mix of activities (outdoor, indoor, creative, hands-on)

c) Check in regularly

Have quick check-ins each week:

• What’s working?
• What could be more fun or engaging?
• How is the child responding?

Small adjustments keep things positive and effective.

The summer slide is real, but so is the power of creative, caring nannies to help kids stay engaged and ready for the next school year. By weaving learning into play, exploration, and daily moments, nannies can make summer both joyful and enriching.