For many children, summer vacation from school means sunny days spent riding bicycles, playing with friends or taking a dip in the river.

Unfortunately, the long break often means many children will lose knowledge and skills, which is commonly referred to as the “summer slide.”

The good news is participating in summer learning activities can prevent the summer slide. Most researchers agree that the benefits of participating in summer learning programs goes beyond retaining and developing academic skills and learning.

Other common benefits are an increase in confidence and social skills, better work habits and a reduction of the achievement gap commonly found among groups of students.

How can you help your child combat the summer slide while still having time for other summer activities? Participate in the Summer Math-mobile and Books on the Bus.

Arling-ton Public Schools is excited to bring a Summer Mathmobile to the community. The bus will be staffed with three teachers and three paraeducators who will provide play-based math instruction. While the instruction is geared toward elementary students, preschool and middle school students are also encouraged to participate. To fully benefit from the math instruction, we encourage students to attend for the full hour-and-a-half session.

The Mathmobile will travel each Monday from June 25 through Aug. 20 to the following locations:

•9:30-11 a.m. Presidents Elementary

•11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Timbers Apartments

•2–3:30 p.m. Mobile Estates on 67th Avenue

Books on the Bus will also travel again this summer. The bookmobile will run each Wednesday from June 27 through Aug. 22 at the following locations:

•9:30–10:15 a.m. Presidents Elementary

•10:30–11:15 a.m. Haller Park

•11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Timbers Apartments

•12:30–1:15 p.m. Crown Ridge neighborhood •2–2:45 p.m. Mobile Estates on 67th Avenue.

Terri Bookey is the director of Early Learning and Categorical Programs for Arlington Public Schools, which has a monthly column in this newspaper.