No way! This is the best time
Now that we are approaching July and the summer months (we can hope), you may be wondering whether or not to start tuition during this time. Is there any point starting now? While it may seem tempting to let your child wind down and enjoy their time off from learning, research has shown that the summer can actually be a critical time for stimulating creativity and academic growth, especially as they have more mental clarity. For Sowing Seeds Tuition and Wellbeing, balance is key at this time of year to let children switch off, play(!) and to also make learning even more enjoyable, relevant, memorable and outdoors if possible!
One of the main reasons why starting tuition over the summer is beneficial is because of the summer dip (and it’s not a dip you want to make!). In all honesty, every year this happens and it takes up to 2 months in the first term back in September to re-engage and get students back on track to show their true potential again.
As a former Head of English and Assistant Head of Key Stage 3 Achievement, I tried every intervention possible to prevent the dip aka the brain drain! September is often too late and it was a slow process to help children regain their knowledge and demonstrate the fantastic skills they displayed in July!
But this is a summer dip you can avoid! It’s a fact and countless studies have shown a loss of academic skills and knowledge occurs when students are out of school over an extended period of time. What would happen if you trained for a marathon for 9 months, decided to take a break for 3 months, and then ran the marathon at the end of the 12 months? The same happens when your child isn’t metacognitively active and using these different parts of their brain.
Worryingly, Studies have shown that students can lose up to two months of grade-levelency, especially in maths and English during the summer break. Their reading age can decline by up to 30% because they simply stop. This can put students at a significant disadvantage when they return to school in September as they may struggle to catch up and get back on track.
Additionally, starting tuition over the summer can help to bridge the wider gaps in learning that may exist between students and prevent them falling behind at a later date! By starting tuition and learning over the summer, parents can help to level the playing field and ensure that their child has the support and resources they need to succeed academically.
Another reason why starting tuition and learning over the summer is a great idea is because it can help to keep your child engaged and motivated throughout the break! Instead of letting their minds go idle (a slight pun intended!), our tuition and bespoke workshops can provide a stimulating environment for your child to continue to grow and learn. This can help to prevent boredom and ensure that your child stays sharp and on track for the upcoming school year!
We have already registered more new students than last year and starting now (in June)…and on our waiting list for our summer camp timetable! To register your interest and find out how we can help your child, contact us.
