Experts: Parents Should Keep Up Kids' School Skills During Summer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If you've got young kids, the last think they are probably thinking about right now is school.

And as CBS2's Valerie Castro reported, that could be a problem. Time away from the classroom can lead to a serious summer slide.

For Maggie Nielson's girls, summer break means a break from a busy school routine. But it does not mean a total break from learning.

"Get them reading, or get them to museums, or studying for a trip we might go on, or whatever the case might be," she said.

Experts said keeping school skills sharp is vital over the summer to prevent regression. Studies show math and reading skills can decline significantly during summer months if work is not kept up at home.

"A little bit of reading -- you know, a couple times a week -- is all it really takes," said Dr. Corinn Cross of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Cross said it is especially important for younger students to keep the momentum going.

"You don't want to have really pushed it and really tried to have learned how to read in kindergarten, first, second grade, and then do nothing for two and a half months," Cross said, "because they really do fall behind."

Along with reading about 30 minutes a day, experts said parents should encourage their children to write often over the summer – maybe keeping a journal or writing letters. Children should also take time to review school assignments from the previous year, experts said.

But experts also said it is important to find a balance and include some summer recreation.

"It's really fun, like, when it's not always one thing," said Maddie Neilson, 10, who will soon enter the fifth grade.

And if you want to inject some education into your summer activities, experts advised visiting places like museums and community centers.