Summer is almost here, and if you’re a homeschool parent of a child with dyslexia or other learning differences, there’s a good chance a familiar question is already circling in your head: Should we keep doing school this summer?
Maybe you’re feeling relieved that the school year is almost over. Maybe you’re already dreading the loss of structure. Or maybe — and I know this one well — you’re carrying some guilt about where your child is academically and wondering if summer is your chance to close the gap.
I’ve been there. After 30 years of homeschooling seven kids with dyslexia, I’ve done summer school every possible way. We’ve done intensive tutoring programs, we’ve done light morning learning, and we’ve done full summers where the only thing that got opened was a bag of chips. I’ve learned a lot from all of it.
So let’s talk honestly about this decision — because there is no single right answer, but there is a right answer for your family right now.
First, Let’s Talk About the Guilt
Before we get into the practical stuff, I want to acknowledge something.
If you’re reading this post, you may be thinking that your child is behind where you’d like them to be. And that means summer doesn’t feel like a carefree break. It feels like lost time.
Learn more about why your kids aren’t actually behind.
I want you to hear this: your child’s brain is not broken. Kids with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences simply take longer to learn certain skills. That is not a reflection of how hard you’re working or how smart your child is. It’s just how their brains are wired.
That said, the summer slide is a real thing. Research shows that kids can lose up to 30% of what they’ve learned during the school year over summer break. For kids with dyslexia who already struggle with retention, that can feel like a big deal.
But “doing something” this summer doesn’t have to mean a full school schedule. In fact, for some families, that would be exactly the wrong move.
Let me explain.
Reasons NOT to Do Summer School
You’re both burned out.
Teaching a child with learning differences is hard work. It requires patience, creativity, and emotional energy — every single day. If you’ve just come through a hard school year and you’re running on empty, please hear me when I say: you need a break too.
A depleted, resentful mom cannot teach well. I know because I’ve been her. A few summers where I pushed through when I shouldn’t have taught me that lesson the hard way.
If your child is showing signs of serious resistance — shutting down, melting down, refusing to engage — that’s important information. I’ve written more about helping the shut-down learner here. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a real break and let everyone breathe.
You just want to finish the curriculum for the sake of finishing.
If your family is enjoying where you are in your curriculum and you all want to keep going — great! But if your primary motivation is to check the box of finishing, I’d encourage you to let it go. Kids with learning differences don’t need more of what isn’t working. They need the right support, at the right time, in the right way.
Your child needs to rediscover the joy of learning.
This is sometimes called deschooling — intentionally stepping back from academics to let your child reconnect with their natural inclination to learn. Summer is a perfect time for this. Cooking, gardening, building things, visiting museums, getting lost in a great audiobook — these are all real learning. And sometimes they do more for a struggling learner’s long-term progress than any curriculum ever could. Read more about deschooling here.
Reasons Summer Learning May Be a Good Idea
Your child is in the middle of reading remediation.
This is probably the most important reason to keep going over the summer. For kids with dyslexia, learning to read and spell is a long process — even with the right methods. Momentum matters. Stopping and restarting is frustrating for kids, and it often means spending the first month (or more) of fall just getting back to where you left off.
If your child is working with a tutor or doing an at-home remediation program, even 2-3 sessions per week over the summer can make a significant difference. Read more about the best at-home reading programs for dyslexia here.
You want to prevent the summer slide.
Even if you’re not doing formal remediation, a little bit of learning goes a long way. Math fact review, some light reading, handwriting practice — spending even 20-30 minutes a few days a week helps kids retain what they’ve worked so hard to learn. It doesn’t have to be heavy or stressful. It just has to be consistent.
Your kids do better with some structure.
Hands up if your kids go sideways within a week of school ending. 🙋
For a lot of kids with dyslexia and ADHD, unstructured time is actually harder, not easier. A simple daily rhythm — morning chores, a little learning, outdoor time, then free time — can make everyone’s summer more enjoyable. More on that in an upcoming post.
You have a high schooler with specific goals.
Summer can be a great time for high schoolers to complete a credit, get ahead on a subject, or take an online class they’re interested in. Just remember that high school credits are based on time — roughly 120 hours for a full credit — so plan accordingly.
A Simple Framework for Making the Decision
Not sure which camp you fall into? Here are four questions to help you figure it out.
1. Where is my child emotionally right now? Are they still engaged and willing, even if tired? Or are they showing signs of real resistance and shutdown? If it’s the latter, rest comes first.
2. Are we in active remediation? If your child is working through a structured reading or spelling program (and not stressed out about it) , I encourage you to keep that going — even at a reduced pace. Consistency is what makes these programs work.
3. Are there specific gaps I want to address? Summer is a great time to focus on one or two things, without the pressure of covering everything. Math facts, handwriting, reading fluency — pick what matters most and keep it simple.
4. What is my own bandwidth this summer? Be honest with yourself. An ambitious summer school plan you abandon by week three helps no one. A lighter plan you actually stick with? That’s a win.
What “Light Summer Learning” Can Look Like
In our house, the years that worked best looked something like this:
After breakfast and chores, we’d gather for about 30 minutes of morning time together. This might include reading aloud, a bit of geography, some poetry, or a fun math game. Then whoever needed remediation would do a short session — usually 20-30 minutes — before the rest of the day opened up for free time, outdoor play, and whatever adventures came our way.
That’s it. Some years we did more, some years less. But that basic rhythm kept us connected as a family, kept the kids’ brains engaged, and helped me feel like I wasn’t letting the summer completely slip away.
A few things that have worked well for us:
- Math fact review (even just 10 minutes a few days a week)
- Hi-Lo books for reluctant readers — books written at their reading level but on topics they actually care about
- Audiobooks together as a family
- A simple handwriting workbook, a few pages at a time
- Continuing with whatever reading program we were using, just at a slightly slower pace
The Bottom Line
Summer doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
You don’t have to choose between a rigorous school schedule and doing absolutely nothing. The sweet spot for most families — especially those homeschooling kids with learning differences — is somewhere in the middle: light, consistent, low-pressure learning that keeps skills from slipping without burning anyone out.
Your kids are going to be okay. They’re going to learn, and grow, and surprise you — whether or not you do school this summer. What matters most is that you make a thoughtful, guilt-free decision based on where your family actually is right now.
And if you’re not sure what that looks like for your specific child? That’s exactly what I’m here for.
What does summer learning look like in your house? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
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