Long breaks are something to look forward to. For students with learning differences, they can also mean losing hard-won skills, which makes the return to school harder. Here is why it happens, and five ways to prevent it.
Why Skills Slip Over Breaks
Less practice. During the school year, students use their skills every day. Over a break, those chances disappear.
Less structure. Many students with learning differences thrive on a clear routine. Without it, focus and motivation can drop.
Fewer connections. Time with classmates and teachers supports learning and growth. A break can feel isolating.
1. Enroll in a Summer Program
Summer programs help students keep their academic and social progress. Some continue services such as tutoring, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Good programs mix academic support with activities students enjoy, new skills, and time with friends. They also provide the structure and routine many students need, in a positive setting that builds confidence.
2. Use Technology
The right tools let students practice at their own pace and in their own way.
- Learning apps make reading, writing, and math practice engaging.
- Text-to-speech tools read text aloud as students follow along.
- Speech-to-text tools turn spoken words into writing, which helps students who find writing, spelling, or handwriting hard.
- Mind-mapping tools help students organize ideas visually.
- Online learning platforms provide resources and a way to stay in touch with teachers and classmates.
3. Take Field Trips
New places keep students curious, and they can especially help students who find traditional classrooms hard. A zoo brings biology to life. A museum can spark an interest in history or art. A park invites hiking, play, and sports, and physical activity supports attention and memory. Group outings build teamwork, too.
4. Make Time for Creative Play
Creative play keeps minds active without pressure, and lets children learn at their own pace.
- Building with blocks develops fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving.
- Making art encourages self-expression and helps children manage their feelings.
- Memory and matching games build focus, attention to detail, and working memory.
5. Join a Sport
Sports keep students active, build friendships, and support coordination and overall health. Success on a team builds confidence that carries into the classroom. A team also teaches communication, cooperation, time management, goal-setting, and perseverance. Choose a sport that fits your child's abilities, attention span, and social comfort.
How Gow Can Help
Since 1926, The Gow School has given students with learning differences a structured, supportive place to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. The Gow Summer Program helps students keep and build their skills over the summer, with morning classes and afternoons full of sports, arts, and trips.
Talk with Us About Your Child
Our admissions team is glad to listen and answer your questions: 716.687.2001 or [email protected].