Combating Summer Learning Loss with Kindergarten Countdown Camp

Now more than ever, it’s important to learn how to combat summer learning loss and understand the impact it has on our children’s future success.

Over the course of the summer, students from low-income families lose two to three months’ worth of reading skills compared to their peers whose families are not low-income. These children have fewer books in their homes and limited opportunities to travel and experience new things. Without access to free summer learning programs, the chance of low-income students recovering from this disparity is restricted. The National Summer Learning Association describes this trend as “summer learning loss”, which is the phenomenon where young people lose academic skills over the summer. This is one of the most significant causes of the achievement gap between lower and higher-income youth. For many young people, the summer “opportunity gap” adds to the gap in achievement, employment, and college/career success affecting their future endeavors.

To address summer learning loss, United Way of Lake County developed Kindergarten Countdown Camp (KCC), an initiative under our Success By 6 program, designed to bridge the gap for Lake County’s youngest learners.

Here’s how it works:

• The free camps are open to incoming kindergartners with little to no preschool or classroom setting experience.
• Licensed teachers focus on teaching children the basic skills needed for kindergarten, such as letters, numbers, and how to write their names.
• Children learn the routine of school, develop new skills, meet new friends and realize they can succeed in a school setting.

The assessments at the end of camp consistently show that these children are now better prepared to enter kindergarten. We are thrilled that the reputation of this program has spread and principals are now asking United Way to offer KCC in their communities!

Follow United Way of Lake County on social media for updates about Kindergarten Countdown Camp.

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Sources:

• National Summer Learning Association, www.summerlearning.org/?page=know_the_facts.