Local learning centers help Baton Rouge kids beat summer learning loss

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Summer break is a time for kids to relax, but it can also come with a hidden cost: learning loss.

Studies show students lose about 30% of what they learned during the school year over summer vacation. That setback can hurt long-term academic success. Baton Rouge parent Angie Malbrough is trying hard to prevent this.

“I make my 5-year-old—I really do make him do math as part of his chore list every day. It’s like 30 minutes either reading or doing math skills,” said Malbrough.

But Malbrough isn’t just a dedicated mom; she’s also the owner of Mathnasium on Perkins Road. She’s helping her kids and others in the community to stay engaged in school while having fun.

“See the rewards every day, and a lot of kids just come, and they work hard, and they save their cards so they can earn the rewards they are working for,” she said.

In Lafayette, Connections Academy sees the same need and is expanding summer learning support to Baton Rouge.

Tara Carr with the Lafayette Connections Academy said learning doesn’t have to feel like schoolwork.

“Playing games while you’re driving or going to your local libraries and working at their reading programs, even something as simple as cooking or grocery shopping. You can incorporate math and science skills in those,” said Carr.

Summer should still feel like a break, but that doesn’t mean kids have to stop learning. A little creativity can go a long way in keeping young minds sharp.

Lafayette Connections Academy and Mathnasium are currently enrolling students for the summer and the upcoming school year.

Latest News