IMPORTANCE OF BRAIN-FRIENDLY SUMMER PROGRAMS for Middle School Students BY MORGAN P. APPEL
MITIGATING LEARNING LOSS Summer programs for middle school students— especially those that deliver a mix of focused immersion in content, hands-on engagement, and fun activities—can help reduce the effects of summer learning loss. In certain cases, what has been often referred to as the ‘summer slip’ becomes a few weeks of unfinished learning. In others, it can be months or more. On top of that, studies show that middle school aged students tend to prioritize social needs over academic growth during the school year, leading to loss of motivation and focus. Additionally, learning loss can vary depending on age, subject, and geographic area. This further emphasizes the need for individualized programming to fit a variety of needs and interests.
THE MIDDLE YEARS: A LONG AND WINDING ROAD To say the least, the onset of puberty can prove to be difficult for many reasons. Including navigating more difficult subjects and social pressures; dealing with self-esteem and emotional issues as a result of their 82 | 2024 TEENLIFE GUIDE TO SUMMER PROGRAMS
changing bodies, and managing intense feelings of impulsivity and risk-taking.
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT Studies in developmental neuroscience show that in early adolescence the brain is undergoing significant transformations as people grow up. These changes include an enhanced degree of flexibility, increased capacity for decision making, regulation, and judgment, making it ideal for both learning and risk-taking. Supporting cognitive development during this period requires that a summer program is interesting, flexible in structure, and offers fail-safe learning methods. It must also provide multiple opportunities for success to reinforce the student’s sense of persistence. Capability and confidence go hand in hand—especially for the growing adolescent brain. It is similarly important that summer programs use multiple approaches to education as well as build upon previous lessons. This means meeting middle school students where they are and building from that point. This is especially true for summer offerings that tend to be shorter in length than a traditional school year.
