How to Prevent the Summer Slide in Dyslexic and Struggling Readers: Tips That Work

What Is the Summer Slide and Why Does It Matter?

The “summer slide” refers to the learning loss that many children experience during the long break from school, especially in reading and math. Research shows students can lose 20–30% of their school-year progress over the summer. For children who already find literacy challenging, the setback can be even greater, in some cases, equivalent to six months of lost progress.

This means that for many children, particularly those with dyslexia or literacy difficulties, the return to school can feel like starting over.

Why Are Struggling Readers More Affected?

Children who learn differently, such as those with dyslexia, often require more repetition and consistent practice to retain foundational skills like phonics, spelling, and decoding. Without regular, structured learning:

  • Gaps in reading and writing widen
  • Confidence dips
  • Motivation to engage with learning drops
  • Children may fall further behind their peers

But here’s the good news: it doesn’t take much to prevent the slide, just a few minutes a day, in ways that feel fun and manageable.

Small Daily Habits = Big Summer Wins

Preventing the summer slide doesn’t mean worksheets or tutoring marathons. It’s about keeping the brain engaged with light, enjoyable activities, so your child keeps building on what they’ve already learned.

Simple things like:

  • Reading aloud together
  • Listening to audiobooks
  • Playing word games
  • Creative storytelling
  • Drawing or journaling

can make a huge difference in how ready and confident a child feels when September rolls around.

How Nessy Can Help Over the Summer

Nessy for Home is designed specifically for children who need structured, supportive literacy practice, but in a way that feels playful, not pressured. It’s fun, evidence-based, and completely personalised, meaning your child learns what they need, in the way that works best for them.

  • The Nessy Assessment identifies gaps in phonics, reading, or spelling
  • Then, it targets those gaps with interactive learning games
  • Lessons are short, engaging, and multi-sensory
  • Children learn independently, at their own pace
  • Positive reinforcement helps build confidence and reduce learning anxiety

Whether your child is catching up, getting ahead, or just keeping their skills fresh over the summer, Nessy makes sure they’re ready to return to school with confidence.

Get 60% OFF Nessy for Home this summer with code SUMMER60

Top Tips to Prevent the Summer Slide at Home

  • Create a reading routine - even 10–15 minutes a day makes a difference
  • Use audiobooks - they build vocabulary and listening comprehension
  • Play literacy games - make learning feel like play
  • Encourage journaling - a sentence or drawing a day keeps writing skills active
  • Let them choose - interest-led learning keeps motivation high

Support That’s Built for How They Learn

Every child deserves to feel successful, and that starts with the right support at the right time. Nessy isn’t just for children with dyslexia; it benefits all learners who require structured, supportive, and confidence-building literacy practice.

This summer, make progress feel possible.

Try Nessy for Home and get 60% OFF with code SUMMER60

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