Students Tend To Lose These 3 Skills Over The Holidays

Research has shown that students tend to lose some of their academic skills and knowledge over a long holiday break. In the US, where summer holidays can last up to three months, studies have found that children may lose between two to four months’ worth of progress in math and reading skills.

While school holidays in Singapore are comparatively shorter, students can still experience a decline in academic skills during extended breaks. From our observations as educators, it is not uncommon for students to return to school having forgotten concepts they previously understood well.

However, not all skills are affected equally. Let’s take a closer look at what students tend to forget during the holidays – and how parents and students can prevent this from happening.

Math skills are often forgotten most easily

Several studies have shown that math skills are among the first skills to fall victim to the “summer slide”. Unlike reading or conversational language, math concepts are not often used naturally in daily life during the holidays, making them easier to forget –  especially if a person had only understood these concepts in a shallow way rather than committing them to long-term memory.

Regular exposure and practice can help students keep math concepts staying fresh in their minds. For primary school students learning foundational math concepts, parents can encourage practice through simple real-life activities. Baking together and measuring ingredients, or calculating grocery costs at the supermarket are some useful ways to reinforce math skills naturally.

For older students such as those in IP Math tuition, we recommend regular and intentional practice to prevent skill loss. This could include completing a few practice questions each day or attending a tuition programme for guided revision during the school holidays.

Reading ability depends greatly on exposure during the holidays

Many students also experience a decline in language-related skills over the holidays, including spelling and reading comprehension. However, some children actually improved in reading during the holidays. Researchers think that the reason is due to the difference in exposure that children have to reading-related activities during the holidays. For example, children whose parents brought them to the library regularly would have more opportunities to read and were more likely to improve in reading skills.

This shows that simple holiday activities can help students maintain – or even improve – their language abilities. For younger children, parents can prepare age-appropriate reading materials or make regular trips to the library part of the holiday routine. For more independent learners, we encourage developing a habit of reading a wide range of texts, including both fiction and non-fiction.

Students can also engage more deeply with what they read by writing short reviews, discussing ideas from books, or keeping a word bank to expand their vocabulary – activities we regularly do as part of our IP English tuition at Future Academy!

Looking for reading recommendations? Here’s some:

Study habits and routines can be disrupted

Beyond forgetting academic content, students may also lose their study momentum during a long break. After enjoying the freedom and flexibility of the holidays, many students forget how it feels like to study. Keeping to routines like waking up early, completing homework consistently, and studying regularly can suddenly feel challenging again.

Having some sort of structure and goals during the holidays can reduce the difficulty of adjusting back to the school routine. But that does not mean that holidays should be packed full of academic activities either, as this can lead to burnout. Balance is key!

To start with, we recommend maintaining a regular sleep schedule and incorporating one simple academic activity each day, such as reading, reviewing notes, or completing a short worksheet. If you feel like you are doing too much – remember, consistency matters more than intensity.

Supporting your child’s learning during the holidays

At Future Academy, we are committed to supporting students throughout every stage of their learning journey – whether they are preparing for the PSLE, adapting to Sec 3, or studying for the A Levels.

Our tuition programmes continue during the school holidays to help students minimise skill loss, strengthen weaker areas, and build confidence before the new school term begins. Many students such as those in our PSLE Science tuition classes also find the holidays especially valuable for clarifying doubts from previous topics and improving their skills without the constant pace and pressure of school.

With the right support and routine, the holidays can become an opportunity not just to rest – but also to grow.

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