Summer vacation is a time eagerly anticipated by most kids. It is a time to play, rest, relax and just enjoy. It also can be a time your child forgets what he has learned. This slippery summer slide can mean students can lose about two months of what they have learned in math and reading. This is a time when parents can help prevent the summer learning loss.

There are many fun ways that parents can promote learning during the summer. Now is the time to figure out how you can make this a productive summer rather than a summer of loss for your child.

Reading Loss

One of the slippery areas of summer loss is in reading. Students may lose two months of reading skills over the summer if they don’t read regularly. You can help prevent this loss. Plan on having your child read four or five books over the summer. Let him pick the books. Have him tell you about the books as he reads through them. Your interest can help pick up his interest.

Have him keep a log of how long he reads each day and each week. Maybe have a reward at the end of the summer.

Read one book together. Pay attention to the new words he stumbles over or doesn’t seem to understand. Look them up together either on the computer or in a dictionary.

Keep short story books in the car for him to read on the many trips that occur in the summer. Make the time spent worthwhile.

Read at least part of the time in the morning when he is used to learning at school. He may be less distracted at this time of day.

Math Loss

Save some of the papers from his math class to give you some clues of what to work on during the summer. This can really help.

Practice estimating skills by guessing how far and how long a road trip might be. Even guessing how long it will take you to get to the store or to his friend’s house helps him learn estimating.

Math books are readily available with many activities for him to do. They can be quick and easy but keep skills current.

Make sure he knows his math facts. Flash cards and a watch will help him improve. He should know addition, subtraction and multiplication of up to the number 12.

Writing Loss

Encourage him to write letters to relatives or friends, send postcards from camp, keep a journal or even do an online blog. Read them together to see how he is doing with spelling, grammar and content. Don’t just be critical. Point out the positive parts.

History Loss

Let him watch some specials on history this summer. Any of the “American Experience” shows are great history lessons. Have him write about the show when it is over.

Physical Fitness Loss

Encouraging physical activity over the summer helps your child stay at peak mental form. We know the two things work together.

See if he is interested in a team sport. Sign him up for swimming. Go for walks to explore the city or the local park. At least get him outside and active. Regular physical activity increases concentration and improves math scores.

Loss of Technology Skills

It is easy to keep your child involved in technology. He wants to be on the phone or on Facebook all of the time. But that isn’t the skill side we mean.

Providing a chance to learn problem solving and critical thinking via education games is a way for him to learn. Challenge him on some education games. Try to do something in the robotics side of learning. There are over 65,000 educational apps, various tech-based toys and tons of tech projects and household activities that can encourage his summer learning. These can really be fun.

Consider having him learn how to use the keyboard this summer. Cover up the keys and time him as he learns to type without looking. Even today this is a skill that will save him hours and hours.

So give it some thought. You want him to have plenty of time for what he wants but include some of the many fun activities that will help him do better than ever in school come September. You both can have some fun and learn something.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. Reach Martin at pmf@olypen.com.