Summer can be magical for young children. Long days, new adventures, and time to explore can spark curiosity and joy. But for many families, summer brings questions about how to support their children’s learning and confidence as they prepare for the year ahead.
That question is exactly why Waterford.org partners with the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA). Our shared focus is helping communities give families the tools they need to support children’s learning all summer.
The National Summer Learning Association is a leading voice in advancing high‑quality summer learning nationwide. Their focus on equity and access aligns closely with Waterford.org’s mission to ensure every child has a strong foundation in early learning.
“For over 30 years, NSLA has been working to ensure every young person in America, but especially the most vulnerable, can afford, access and benefit from a high-quality learning experience every summer,” said Aaaron Dworkin, Chief Executive Officer at NSLA.
For families, this work matters. NSLA supports more than 25,000 programs across the country that give children safe, enriching spaces to learn, play, and stay curious.
Communities play a powerful role in keeping children learning through the summer.
Why This Partnership Matters for Families
Every parent wants their child to feel confident and ready for the next school year. But the “summer slide,” or the learning loss that can happen when children lack access to enriching experiences, can make that difficult.
Waterford.org and NSLA share a simple belief: summer should be a season of opportunity, not setback. This partnership strengthens the support families receive at home, from easy learning activities to tools that fit naturally into daily life.
Bringing Summer Learning to Life
Ways to Strengthen Summer Strategies
Waterford.org regularly participates in NSLA’s Summer Starts in September webinar series and the Summer Solutions Leadership Forum. These gatherings help communities understand how early learning programs can strengthen summer strategies and expand access to high‑quality opportunities for families nationwide.
Through Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) NSLA and Waterford.org collaborate to:
- Explore learning approaches and activities
- Share and receive innovative ideas
- Identify shared goals and resources
- Build strong peer networks
- Design supportive summer learning pathways
These efforts ensure that summer learning is part of a coordinated, nationwide approach that directly benefits families.
The Impact on Families
When families have access to strong summer learning support, children maintain and grow essential early literacy and numeracy skills, build healthy learning routines, and start their learning journey with confidence.
Parents often share that summer learning programs keep their children engaged, curious, and ready for the school year ahead.
Dr. DJ Alexander, Director of Partnerships at Waterford.org, speaks to the importance of this shared mission.
“Summer should be a time of growth, not loss. At Waterford, we provide families with consistent, engaging early learning experiences that build critical literacy and cognitive skills at home—even during the summer months,” Alexander said. “Through our partnership with the National Summer Learning Association, we’re able to expand access, align on best practices, and ensure that more children, especially those in underserved communities, continue learning, exploring, and thriving all summer long.”
Looking Ahead: How Families and Communities Can Get Involved
The summer learning gap is real, but it is preventable when families, schools, and community partners work together. Whether you are a parent looking for ways to support your child or an organization hoping to strengthen summer opportunities in your community, you can be part of the solution.
Everyone Has a Role in Summer Learning
Families, educators, and community partners all play a part in helping children stay curious and confident during the summer. Small actions—creating a daily learning routine, reading together, offering a safe place to learn, sharing resources—add up to big impact for young learners.
When communities come together, summer becomes more than a break. It becomes a season of growth.