Winter break is a much-anticipated time for students to relax, spend time with family, and recharge. However, the return to school after the holidays can be a real challenge for some students as routines resume and the excitement of the season fades away.

If you find that your child struggles to return to routine and focus at the start of a new semester, “winter melt” may be a contributing factor. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Winter Melt? 

Winter melt refers to the academic slump seen after students return from the long winter break. Without regular learning, students may forget important school lessons, struggle with skills they had been confident in, fall behind on their assignments, or lose the momentum they gained in the first part of the school year. This can be especially noticeable in subjects like math and reading, where core skills require continuous practice. 

While it’s important for students to unwind during their break, it’s also important to maintain a level of engagement to prevent winter melt and ensure they return to school ready to tackle new challenges. 

Strategies for Keeping Kids Engaged During the Break

Preventing winter melt doesn’t mean filling the break with schoolwork. There are fun and engaging ways to keep your child’s mind active! Here’s how parents can help students stay sharp while enjoying their downtime.

Create a Flexible Routine: While it’s tempting to relax the schedule completely, maintaining a simple routine—like regular meals and bedtimes—can help children transition back to school smoothly after the break.

Fun Winter Reading Challenges: Turn reading into a fun activity by setting a winter reading goal. Celebrate every book or chapter your child completes, and consider small rewards for progress. You can even gift books that spark new interests, inspiring them to explore different subjects and expand their imagination.

Keep Moving: Even in the cold weather, staying physically active is important for mental health. Research shows that physically active children tend to demonstrate better memory and focus. Encourage outdoor activities like winter sports or even family walks—these not only boost mood and well-being but also help improve memory and focus.

Incorporate Learning Into Holiday Fun: Turn everyday tasks into learning opportunities. Writing thank-you notes after receiving gifts reinforces spelling and helps with handwriting and gratitude. Baking together involves measurement practice and strengthening math skills while spending quality time. Ask for help with online shopping—this boosts research and tech skills without feeling like schoolwork.

Set Small, Achievable Learning Goals: Break learning down into manageable chunks. For example, aim to learn one new vocabulary word each day or solve one math problem every other day. These small goals keep students’ minds engaged while allowing plenty of time for fun and relaxation.

Tech Tools to Keep Learning Alive Over the Break

While winter break is a time to relax and unplug, it’s also a great opportunity to keep students engaged with their learning through educational technology. One easy way to do that is by using tech-powered educational tools like i-Ready and Khan Academy.

Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a free educational platform and app that provides practice and lessons for K-12 students. Khan Academy connects students with a personalized learning experience, allowing them to learn at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning. Using Khan Academy’s tutoring tools, students can engage with lessons across a wide range of subject matters.

Subjects include math (K–12 to early college), grammar, science, computing, history, AP®, SAT®, life skills, and more—all free for learners and teachers. The platform also offers tools and resources for teachers to help them identify gaps in their students’ understanding, tailor instruction, and meet the needs of every student.

Khan Academy is open to the public, and parents can easily set up an account. Lessons are also accessible via the platform’s easy-to-navigate mobile app, so students can log in and learn from anywhere, anytime. Check it out at khanacademy.org.

i-Ready
i-Ready is an online educational platform used by schools nationwide, offering personalized lessons for students from early learners to middle schoolers. It combines interactive technology with traditional learning methods, allowing children to complete lessons and assessments at their own pace on devices like iPads or computers.

The platform includes two main components: i-Ready Diagnostic, an adaptive test that identifies strengths and areas for improvement, and i-Ready Personalized Instruction, which delivers engaging lessons tailored to each child’s needs. Often free through participating schools, i-Ready is an excellent resource for keeping kids learning during winter break while making education fun and accessible from home.

If your child is using iReady personalized instruction at school, iReady is a great tool for the kids to use during the holiday break. They can complete their personalized instruction lessons for up to 60 minutes a week per subject. Students also have access to iReady learning games, which do not have a limit on usage. If the kids find themselves wanting to play a digital game, have them do some math learning games on the platform. Happy Holidays!

Striking the Perfect Balance: Learning + Rest = Success
Balancing rest with small learning opportunities can help your child return to school feeling confident and focused. By incorporating strategies like reading challenges, physical activities, and educational technology, you can ensure your child is ready to embrace new challenges. So, take advantage of these tips to keep learning fun, meaningful, and balanced during the holiday season! n.