Stop summer learning loss with family activities

Little league. Sports camps. The ice cream truck.

All these things mean summertime for kids.

So, unfortunately, does learning loss. Especially for low-income students.

According to John Hopkins University's Center for Summer Learning, learning loss affects all students, particularly those who come from low-income homes.

In a 2007 study led by Center professor Karl Alexander, the learning progress of 800 Baltimore children was tracked from first grade through adulthood.

Two thirds of the achievement gap, the study found, could be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities.

Better-off children were more likely to go to the library during summer vacation and take books home.

They were more likely to take lessons of all sorts - from sports to music to art.

They were also more likely to attend museums, field trips and concerts outside of school.

Overall, the study found, wealthier kids not only had a more expansive realm of experiences, but as a result of these experience, climbed far ahead of their counterparts in the classroom.

Unfair? Absolutely. But the cause isn't hopeless.

The Center recommends the following tips:

Keep a schedule: It makes sense to continue to stress structure even when you don't have to worry about catching the school bus.

Visit the library: Lots of libraries, including the Gail Borden Library, have enticing summer reading programs.

Practice math with your kids every day: The center recommends practical tasks like totaling up grocery bills, and learning fractions by cooking.

Think fall early: Talk to your children's teachers about what they'll be learning come August. Preview these materials ahead of time.

Music to some ears: Judson University is still accepting applications for its annual summer music camp, to take place next week. A half day camp is available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for kindergartners through second graders. A full day camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is available for kindergartners through high schoolers. For information, contact music department chairman Robert Kania at (847) 628-1115 or rkania@judsonu.edu.

New curriculum director: In late May, Central Community School District 301 hired a new director of curriculum and assessment to replace Fran Hughes, who is retiring. Maura Zinni has worked as an educator for nearly 30 years, most recently as principal of Thomas Edison School in Skokie. Zinni's first day is July 1.