The Summer Slide Is Real: How to Stop Literacy Loss Over the Holidays

The Summer Slide Is Real, And It’s Stealing Your Child’s Confidence

As the school year winds down and holidays begin, most children look forward to a well-earned break. But for students with dyslexia or learning challenges, time away from structured learning can lead to what educators call the “summer slide” - a significant regression in literacy and academic skills.

For children already working twice as hard to keep up, this isn’t just a dip, it’s a major step backward.

But here’s the good news: you can stop the slide.

Why the Holidays Hit Harder for Neurodiverse Kids

For children with dyslexia, reading and spelling aren’t just academic tasks, they’re daily battles. These students require structured, 1:1 multi-sensory, one-on-one support to build and maintain literacy skills. When school stops, so does that support.

By the end of the year, students at DyslexAbility have made huge strides. But without reinforcement, these gains can unravel in just a few weeks.

Signs your child may have experienced the summer slide:

• They resist reading out loud (again).

• Their confidence has taken a hit, and they're saying things like, “I forgot how to read.”

5 Simple Ways to Beat the Summer Slide at Home

Here’s how you can keep learning alive without turning your home into a classroom:

1. Use everyday opportunities Reading recipes aloud, writing shopping lists, or decoding signs while travelling, are all real-world literacy experiences.

2. Read with them, not just to them Choose decodable books or chapter books aligned to their level. Take turns reading every second line or paragraph to build fluency. Have rich and robust conversations around the plot, characters and predictions.

3. Play literacy games Word puzzles, rhyming games, or phonics-based apps can make practice feel like play. Multisensory is best. Use tiles, whiteboards, or finger spelling to deepen learning and keep their skills sharp.

4. Create a “word wall”

   Build vocabulary by posting new words around the house. Encourage your child to use them in a sentence each day. Attempt to have the sentence then written in a who/did what/where and add-on phrase format.

5. Focus on praise and progress, not perfection Celebrate every effort. Confidence is half the battle.

Make the Most of the Holidays (with Help from DyslexAbility)

At DyslexAbility, we know that 1 hour of our 1:1 literacy support equals a full week of classroom learning. That means even short bursts of support during the holidays can protect and even accelerate, our child’s progress.

Our Online Holiday Program delivers structured, engaging sessions that keep students moving forward. Tailored to your child’s needs, it includes:

• Literacy refreshers using the Barton System

• Confidence-building activities

• Progress updates for peace of mind

Don’t let your child’s hard work unravel. 

✅ Book a spot in our Online Holiday Literacy Program today.