Summer Reading Loss: What is it and Why Does it Happen?

What Is Summer Reading Loss?

Children wait all year for the freedom of summer. Long days, no alarm clocks, and plenty of time to play. That playtime is healthy and well-deserved. However, when reading completely disappears from the routine, problems can arise.

Summer reading loss happens when a child’s reading skills decline during the summer because they are not being practiced. Like any skill, reading needs regular use to stay strong.

Studies show that students’ academic achievement scores typically drop by about one month’s worth of school learning over the summer, especially in reading and math (Brookings, 2017). Some children lose up to two months of reading progress if they do not read during the summer (Texas Children’s Hospital, 2023).

When this happens year after year, those small setbacks can add up. Research from Harvard University found that summer learning differences in early grades account for more than half of the achievement gap between low-income and middle-income students by ninth grade (Kim & Quinn, 2013).

Why Does Summer Reading Loss Happen?

Reading is a habit. When kids take a full two or three months off, their fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension can slip, just like a basketball player gets rusty without practice.

Researchers sometimes refer to this as the “faucet theory.” During the school year, all students have access to learning resources, but in summer the “learning faucet” slows or shuts off, especially for children who lack consistent reading opportunities at home (Brookings, 2017).

The good news is that even a little reading goes a long way. NWEA research shows that students who read regularly, even 15 to 20 minutes a day, can maintain or increase their reading levels over the summer (NWEA, 2024).

How Much Playtime Is Too Much?

There is no perfect formula. It depends on each family’s routine. However, if your child spends every day on screens or outdoor play with no reading time at all, they risk losing the reading momentum they built during the school year.

Try setting aside a short, consistent reading block. Ten to fifteen minutes before bedtime or after breakfast can help children maintain their reading stamina and comprehension skills.

How Can Parents Prevent Summer Reading Loss?

Here are some simple, proven ways to prevent reading regression:

• Create a daily reading habit. Even short, fun sessions matter.

  
  

• Let your child choose the books. Ownership boosts motivation.

  
  

• Read together. Take turns reading pages or discuss the story afterward.

  
  

• Use audiobooks. Listening to fluent reading builds vocabulary and comprehension.

  
  

• Enroll in a reading program or tutoring support.

As a tutor in Sussex, WI, working with students across the United States, I see firsthand how consistent reading habits prevent the summer slide and can even lead to growth.

What If Your Child Struggles With Reading?

If your child resists reading because they find it hard, summer is the perfect time to get help before the next school year begins.

Working with a trained reading tutor can make a big difference. Personalized, one-on-one instruction helps children stay motivated, improve confidence, and gain reading skills that last.

If you would like to see your child start the next school year stronger, I currently have a few online tutoring spots available.

📩 Email me at jbkaminski@gmail.com for a free assessment and consultation to create an individualized reading plan that meets your child’s unique needs.

References

1. Brookings Institution (2017). Summer Learning Loss: What Is It and What Can We Do About It? Link

2. Texas Children’s Hospital (2023). Summer Learning Loss. Link

3. Kim, J. S., & Quinn, D. M. (2013). The Effects of Summer Reading on Low-Income Children’s Literacy Achievement. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Link

4. NWEA (2024). Summer Learning Loss: What We Know and What We Are Learning. Link

   
   

About the Author

Joanne Kaminski is an online reading tutor who has helped over 250 students improve their reading skills through more than 3,000 hours of instruction during the past 15 years. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach and specializes in helping children strengthen decoding, fluency, and comprehension. Joanne is based in Sussex, Wisconsin, and tutors students online across the United States. Parents can reach her at jbkaminski@gmail.com to schedule a free reading consultation.