It’s summertime. This means vacations and warmer weather. It also means the kids are out of school. Studies show that younger children experience a brain drain over the study due to all of the activities that are available to them. Some studies show that children lose 40% of what they learned in school during the summer. So how can we avoid summer brain drain? Why do we see such a dramatic loss during the summer?
I had a chance to tinerview Christine Miles, educator, author of the critically acclaimed and award-winning book, What Is It Costing You Not To Listen?, and founder of The Listening Path®. Miles says that summer brain drain occurs due to a lack of structure during the summer months and even boredom. It is most pronounced in math skills and reading. She has tips on how to avoid it.Why is there such a dramatic learning loss during the summer? How does listening impact this loss?
Summer learning loss, also called the “summer slide”, happens because, during summer break, kids step away from the daily routines and structured learning they get at school. Without regular practice, it’s easy for kids to forget what they’ve learned. Studies show students can lose up to a month or more of school year learning over the summer, and the effect is even greater for children who don’t have access to books or learning activities at home.
Listening is a big part of this picture. When school is out, kids have fewer opportunities for real conversations, story sharing, and guided activities that keep their listening skills sharp. Listening isn’t just about being quiet, it’s about paying attention, understanding, and remembering. When kids aren’t practicing these skills, their ability to learn and retain new information can slip.
Screen time can make this even worse. While screens can be fun and sometimes educational, too much passive screen time, like watching videos or scrolling, it doesn’t give kids a chance to practice active listening or engage in meaningful conversations. Instead of listening, reflecting, and asking questions, kids are just receiving information, which doesn’t help them build or maintain the skills they need for school
Why is it most pronounced in math and reading, is it related to not using listening
The “summer slide” is most noticeable in math and reading because these subjects build on daily practice and active engagement. When kids aren’t regularly using these skills over the summer, it’s easy for them to forget important concepts and strategies.
Listening plays a huge role here. In both math and reading, kids need to listen to understand instructions, stories and explanations. For example, understanding a math problem often starts with listening to how it’s explained. In reading, listening helps kids follow a story, pick up new vocabulary, and make sense of what’s happening.
When summer break rolls around, kids often have fewer chances to use these listening skills. If they’re spending more time on screens or doing activities that don’t involve real conversation or problem solving, they’re not practicing the kind of listening that supports learning in math and reading. This can make it harder for them to jump back in.
What are some things families can do to support educational activities during the summer?
Summer is a wonderful time for family adventures and relaxation, but it’s also important to keep kids’ minds engaged so they’re ready for school in the fall. One of the best ways to do this is by listening and learning a natural part of your everyday routine.
Here are some practical, listening-focused ideas for summer learning:
Make Conversations Count: Use family meals, walks, or car rides as opportunities for real conversation. Ask your child to share about their day, really listen to their answers, and reflect back what you heard. This builds both language and listening skills.
Play Listening Games: Classic games like Simon Says, Follow the Leader, or sound hunts in nature are fun ways to help them practice following directions and paying attention.
Limit Passive Screen Time: Too much time on screens can crowd out opportunities for real conversations and active listening. Try to balance screen use with activities that involve talking, listening, and thinking together as a family.
Read Together Every Day: Reading aloud is about more than just words on a page, it’s a chance to practice listening. Take turns reading, listen to audiobooks in the car, or join a summer reading program at your local library. After reading, talk about the story together and ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “How did that character feel?”
Make Conversations Count: Use family meals, walks, or car rides as opportunities for real conversation. Ask your child to share about their day, really listen to their answers, and reflect back what you heard. This builds both language and listening skills.
Incorporate Math and Science into Daily Life: Cooking together, playing board games, or doing simple science experiments at home all encourage kids to listen to instructions, ask questions, and problem-solve out loud.
How can families help children prepare for school with their listening skills?
Listening is one of the most important skills children need for a smooth start to the school year. Good listening helps kids follow directions, understand lessons, make friends, and feel confident in the classroom. The great news is that families can easily support listening at home with a few simple habits:
Practice being present: Set aside distractions by putting down your phone, turning off the TV, and pausing other activities. Make intentional time to truly listen to your child by giving them your full attention and respond thoughtfully to what they share. Being present not only strengthens your connection but also models the kind of focused listening you want your child to practice.
Give Multi-Step Directions: Practice giving two or three instructions at once to help your child get used to following directions, just like in class.
Read and Talk Together: Read aloud and pause to discuss the story, ask questions, or predict what might happen next.
Share stories: Encourage your child to describe their day and reflect back what you hear. Also, share stories about your day with them to build both language and listening skills.
Making listening part of your daily routine helps your child feel more prepared and confident for school.
How does The Listening Path help children listen better during school?
The Listening Path is designed to make listening a fun and practical skill that kids use every day, not just something they’re told to do. In school, listening is the foundation for learning, following directions, building friendships, and understanding new ideas. But most kids aren’t taught how to listen; they’re just expected to know.
The Listening Path changes that by giving children simple, hands-on tools, like a listening map, compass, that turn listening into an adventure of discovery like hiking in the woods. Teachers use short, engaging lessons, just 20–30 minutes, with animated stories and activities that help kids practice listening to understand, not just to respond
Will participation in the program help enhance listening at home?
The Listening Path program is designed not just for the classroom, but for families to use together in everyday life. When children learn The Listening Path tools, like asking thoughtful questions, reflecting back what they’ve heard, they naturally start using these skills with parents, siblings, and friends. The program also provides simple guides and activities for families, making it easy to practice listening during meals, car rides, or bedtime conversations.
As everyone in the family begins using the same listening language and strategies, communication improves. Kids feel more understood, parents feel more connected, and misunderstandings happen less often. In short, The Listening Path helps turn listening into a habit at home, making family life more enjoyable and relationships even stronger.
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