The end of the school year often brings mixed emotions: joy at the prospect of a well-earned break, nostalgia when saying farewell to classmates, and, in many cases, concern about the so-called “summer learning loss” — a decline in academic skills that may occur during the long holiday period when children are not regularly engaged in learning.
At Best Schools in Spain (BSS), we understand that education is not confined to the classroom. That is why both our schools and our families work together to transform summer into an opportunity to continue learning — in a freer, more creative, and emotionally enriching way. Below, we share a series of practical tips for parents to help children finish the academic year successfully and enjoy a well-structured holiday.
End of the school year: Why Does “Summer Learning Loss” Occur?
This phenomenon is particularly common during the early years of education. After several weeks away from school routines, children may forget key skills — especially in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Contributing factors include:
- Lack of reading or writing habits during the holidays
- Absence of cognitive stimulation
- Disorganised routines or lack of structure
- Excessive screen time.
This is why school organisation at the end of the academic year and good planning for the summer are so important.
Stage 1: Ending the Academic Year on the Right Note
The end of term should not be seen as a mere formality. It is a crucial moment to consolidate learning and strengthen emotional bonds.
Recommendations for the final weeks of school:
- Review materials together: Go through folders and notebooks with your child to reflect on their progress.
- Meaningful farewells: Encourage children to say goodbye to teachers and classmates, reinforcing the emotional dimension of learning.
- Reflection routines: A helpful activity is writing a letter or drawing a picture about what they enjoyed most during the year.
- Family celebration: Acknowledge their efforts with a small ritual – a special dinner, a trip, or a free afternoon.
At BSS-accredited schools, the end of term always includes an emotional, social, and reflective component to support personal growth and critical thinking.
Stage 2: Planning the Summer Without Chaos
Summer holidays need not be disorganised. In fact, maintaining some structure is essential to preventing “summer learning loss”.
Tips for summer planning:
- Create a weekly calendar together: Use colours, drawings or symbols to give children a sense of time and stability.
- Daily revision time: Just 15–30 minutes of reading or basic exercises per day can make a big difference.
- Creative activities: Drawing, music, cooking or free writing activate parts of the brain less stimulated during term time.
- Time for rest and play: Rest is also part of learning – encourage free play and connection with nature.
- Board games and family challenges: Games like chess, Scrabble or word puzzles support logical and linguistic skills.
Stage 3: Learning Without Even Noticing – The BSS Approach
The educational approach at Best Schools in Spain is based on meaningful, active, and cross-disciplinary learning. This can be easily extended into the summer through everyday activities.
Ideas to reinforce learning without “formal lessons”:
- Purposeful outings: Visit museums, gardens, hiking trails or science centres.
- Shared reading: Read stories together at night or set up a family book club.
- Holidays as school projects: Let your child research your holiday destination and present what they learn upon return.
- Summer diary: Writing or recording a daily video helps develop both oral and written communication.
- Volunteering or community work: For teenagers, this is a powerful way to nurture social values.
What If My Child Is Changing Schools?
Many families prepare for school changes over the summer. If your child will be starting at a BSS-accredited school, the holidays are an ideal time to make the transition smooth:
- Visit the school, if possible
- Join the school’s summer activities if offered
- Practise the language, especially for bilingual or international schools
- Connect with other families in the school community
BSS-accredited schools are known for their personalised support during transition periods, ensuring every child begins the year with confidence and enthusiasm.
Holidays That Add Up, Not Take Away
Summer does not have to be an empty pause in the learning journey. Quite the opposite: it can be a season rich in growth, when approached with intention. With a positive end-of-year experience, a balanced summer routine, and meaningful activities, “summer learning loss” can be avoided — while encouraging autonomy, curiosity, and joy in young learners.
At Best Schools in Spain, we believe education is a shared project between family and school. That is why we promote a holistic vision of childhood development, one that extends beyond the classroom and into children’s free time.
🎒 Would you like to learn more about how our schools approach this topic? Discover the BSS-accredited schools nearest to you at www.bestschoolsinspain.com
