Nearly three quarters of children (74%) saw their screen time increase over the summer holidays with one in three parents saying it went up significantly
It’s the week when millions of children are heading back to school. But as well as sun, sea and a well-deserved rest, the long summer holiday can have a downside. New research has revealed that a six-week break takes a significant toll on pupils’ vocabulary, with screen time surging and reading habits falling away.
Around 39% of parents say they are worried that this has happened to their child and the data suggests their concerns are justified, according to the survey by Soreen. Nearly three quarters of children (74%) saw their screen time increase with one in three parents saying it went up significantly.
Meanwhile, only 14% of children read for pleasure every day over summer, and one in ten did not read at all. Research by Northumbria University found that a seven-week summer break leads to a measurable decline in spelling scores in primary-aged children, with performance dropping significantly between the end of the summer term and the start of the new academic year.
Separate research found that children lose on average around 20% of their reading gains over the summer break, with the effects compounding year on year. To help primary school children get back up to speed, Soreen has partnered with broadcaster, author and lexicographer Susie Dent.
“This new research shows that the summer slide is real, and every teacher in the country will recognise a drop-off in vocabulary skills when children return in September,” she said.
“Vocabulary development relies on conversation, reading, and the exposure to unfamiliar words, and each one of these tends to dwindle during the summer months. But the good news is that it is never too late to catch up, and learning doesn’t need to be confined to the classroom.”
To help kids get back up to speed, Soreen has distributed Spelling Bee kits to schools nationwide, giving teachers a fun way to rebuild confidence after the summer break.
The company has also launched limited-edition packs of Lunchbox Loaves with a Wordplay insert featuring new words, definitions and short origin stories.
“Boosting our children’s wordpower can happen in the smallest moments of the day, including snack time,” Susie said. “From ‘rambunctious’ to ‘gumption’, the words we have put together in Wordplay aim to make families smile, wonder, and – crucially – talk together. This is about re-igniting a curiosity for language and reminding everyone of the magic of words, both new and old.”
Liz Jacobs, marketing director at Soreen, added: “Teachers work incredibly hard to get children back on track every September. The Spelling Bee kits are our way of supporting that effort from day one, while Wordplay on pack helps families keep the conversation going at home.
“It felt like the perfect moment to champion vocabulary in a way that is fun, accessible and fits naturally into the school day and family life.”