How to Prevent Summer Slide for Kids with Dyslexia

Kathy Cousineau
5 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

A colorful stack of books sits on a wooden table with a sunny beach and palm trees in the blurred background. A purple banner on the right reads, “How to Prevent Summer Slide for Kids with Dyslexia.” Below the banner is the website URL “www.myhappyteacher.com” with a small cartoon owl icon.

For many families, summer brings a welcome break from school routines—but for parents of children with dyslexia, it can also bring anxiety. Without the daily structure and support of school, hard-earned reading skills may begin to slip. This phenomenon, known as the summer slide, can feel especially discouraging when you've worked so hard to support your child's progress.

But here's the good news: with the right mix of play, structure, and encouragement, you can prevent the summer slide—and even help your child build confidence and independence in reading.

A hand in a business suit reaches toward a white bar graph with descending bars, symbolizing a decline in academic skills such as reading and math. A red arrow labeled "decline" curves downward above the graph, representing summer learning loss against a neutral gray background.

What Is the Summer Slide, and Why Does It Matter?

The summer slide refers to the learning loss many students experience during the long school break. Research shows that children can lose significant ground, especially in reading and math, when academic engagement stops altogether.

Why Children with Dyslexia Are More at Risk

Kids with dyslexia often rely on structured, explicit reading instruction and consistent practice to maintain and build skills. When that routine disappears during summer, they may lose fluency, struggle to recall decoding strategies, or even feel more anxious about reading come fall.

It’s not about doing “school” all summer—it’s about keeping the learning alive in creative, accessible, and emotionally supportive ways.

Supportive Strategies to Prevent the Summer Slide

A smiling woman and young girl sit together on a bed, joyfully reading a large picture book. The girl, wearing a light pink outfit, looks excited, while the woman, dressed in white, holds the book open. The room has a bright, cozy feel with pastel pillows and soft lighting, creating a warm and engaging reading moment.

1. Make Reading Part of Your Daily Rhythm

Daily reading doesn’t have to be long or rigid, but consistency is key. Even 15–30 minutes a day makes a difference.

If you're unsure how to start, our recent blog post, How to Build a Summer Reading Routine for Children with Dyslexia, offers step-by-step tips to create a flexible and enjoyable reading habit that works for your family.

Helpful Ideas:

Let your child help choose the books.
Alternate reading pages or sentences together.
Explore graphic novels, high-interest nonfiction, or books related to summer activities or hobbies.

A young girl wearing bright blue and pink headphones sits on a bed, focused on a tablet she’s holding. She is dressed in colorful pajamas with a floral pattern, surrounded by soft pillows in a cozy bedroom setting. The scene suggests she is engaged in an educational or entertainment activity, such as listening to an audiobook or watching a video.

2. Embrace Audiobooks as a Powerful Tool

Audiobooks are not a shortcut, they’re a legitimate literacy tool. Listening to books read aloud helps children develop vocabulary, listening comprehension, and a deeper love for storytelling.

How to Use Them Effectively:

Pair the audiobook with a physical copy so your child can follow along visually.
Pause to discuss what’s happening in the story.
Create a “listening nook” where your child can relax with headphones and a favorite blanket or fidget toy.

A smiling young boy crouches on the beach, using a stick to write the word “SUN” in the sand. The scene illustrates a multisensory reading experience, combining tactile, visual, and kinesthetic learning in a playful, outdoor setting. Waves gently approach in the background.

3. Make Learning Multisensory

Children with dyslexia often thrive when learning involves more than just visual input. Multisensory activities activate different parts of the brain and create stronger connections.

By Age Group:

Ages 5–8

Play phonics games with letter magnets or flashcards.
Use sidewalk chalk to practice sight words.
Trace letters in shaving cream, sand, or rice.

Ages 9–12

Use vocabulary-building apps or word games like Boggle.
Create stories using drawing prompts or story cubes.
Make DIY spelling lists with art or crafts.

Teens

Try note-taking with color coding or sketching story maps.
Combine movement with learning (e.g., hopscotch with spelling words).
Use speech-to-text tools to support written expression.

A young boy with red hair sits on the grass, leaning against a large tree trunk, focused on writing in a small notebook. He wears a purple shirt and green shorts, appearing deep in thought as he journals outdoors in a peaceful, green park setting.

4. Encourage Journaling—No Pressure, Just Expression

Journaling can be a safe, creative outlet and a great way to strengthen writing and thinking skills. Don't worry about spelling or punctuation—just let your child enjoy the process.

Prompts to Get Started:

“The best thing I did this week was…”
“If I could go anywhere this summer…”
“My dream summer day would include…”

You can also allow dictation using apps or voice notes, especially for younger children or those who struggle with handwriting.

A smiling young girl wearing glasses and a red-and-white striped shirt sits at a desk, looking at a laptop. She is surrounded by papers, pencils, and school supplies in a bright, modern room, suggesting she is engaged in online learning or a virtual tutoring session.

5. Consider Summer Tutoring or Literacy Support

Structured support during the summer—especially when delivered in a fun and individualized way—can make a huge difference.

Look for tutors who:

Specialize in dyslexia or use evidence-based reading approaches (like Orton-Gillingham).
Offer both virtual and in-person options.
Provide flexible schedules to fit around summer plans.

Tutoring doesn't have to feel like extra school. A well-matched tutor can boost confidence, create personalized learning moments, and even build a relationship that lasts beyond summer.

A woman and a young girl, both wearing matching yellow polka dot aprons, stand in a bright kitchen. The woman reads from an open cookbook while the girl looks up at her, holding a whisk over a mixing bowl. They appear to be baking together, creating a warm, educational, and engaging hands-on learning experience.

Simple Ways to Infuse Learning into Everyday Life

Summer learning doesn’t need to be limited to books and worksheets. Real-life experiences offer rich opportunities for growth.

Cooking together builds sequencing and reading comprehension.
Creating a summer scrapbook practices storytelling and organization.
Shopping and budgeting reinforce math and reading skills.
Taking nature walks and journaling about discoveries supports curiosity and descriptive writing.

Four young children lie on the grass together, smiling and eagerly reading a book as a group. Their faces show curiosity and excitement, capturing the joy and fun of shared reading on a sunny day in the park.

Keep It Positive, Flexible, and Fun

Preventing the summer slide isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing your child that learning is a lifelong journey—one that can be joyful, interesting, and built around their strengths. Celebrate the little victories, honor your child’s effort, and remember: reading progress doesn't stop just because school is out.

Want More Support?

If you're looking for guidance on where to begin, start with our article:👉 How to Build a Summer Reading Routine for Children with Dyslexia

It’s packed with practical tips to help you create an engaging and sustainable routine that fits your family's needs.

Whether you're easing into summer reading or ready to dive into tutoring, you’re not alone, and we’re here to help.

Are you looking for summer tutoring to help prevent summer slide?

At My Happy Teacher 👩🏼‍🏫, we're dedicated to supporting children through personalized, evidence-based online tutoring. Our expert tutors utilize proven phonics-based methods, like the Wilson Reading System 📗and Orton-Gillingham Program 📘, to help improve reading skills, boost confidence, and instill a love 💜 for learning across various learning difficulties.

Looking for guidance on what steps to take next or assistance with the evaluation process?

Our Parent Support Coaches are ready to provide you with the necessary tools to support 🤝 your child’s education, navigate the special education process, and effectively advocate for their needs.

Together 🤝🏼, we create a supportive community where your child can thrive and enjoy learning 💜