Summer Enrichment or Just Hanging Out?: What Parents should Know about Extended Learning Opportunities

Abstract

Research has shown that summer learning based in family and community activities increases students’ school achievement. This research suggests that the achievement gap is substantially linked to unequal learning opportunities in children’s home and community environments, especially during summer months. Many of the summer programs available for gifted students combine content acquisition with creative and critical thinking processes and authentic encounters. They may also provide significant social experiences with an academic peer group not available in the students’ school environment. In enrichment classes, students may be introduced to advanced topics, such as calculus, at early ages in a manner that moves students from concrete perceptions to abstract understandings. Summer programs provide students with opportunities to meet and work with peers who have many of the same interests and abilities. Parents are fortunate that today there are many more camps and opportunities designed especially for gifted students.