For some kids and parents, school holidays can feel long and tedious if there aren’t enough activities on the agenda. Moreover, if kids take a break from learning for too long, they could be missing out on new information and skills and developing on skills that they have learnt previously. However, while it is important to keep learning constant, your child may find the idea of spending their holiday doing homework and reviewing books repelling. Here’s how to keep your child interested in learning over the school break.
Keep a diary
Writing regularly will help your child build their vocabulary and thought processing skills as well as help them feel more comfortable with writing when it is time to do so in the classroom.
Write postcards to friends and family
If you are spending time away or have family and friends in distant places, your child could take time to write to them as an activity. They can get creative with this activity and include drawings and art if they please. It also means that they can continue to practise their writing, spelling and grammar.
Take educational trips
Great places to visit during the school holidays include museums, aquariums, galleries, parks and gardens. These trips are great opportunities for your child to tap into the world of their chosen interest and make friends with similar interests while they’re at it.
For great places to visit see the list below
- Melbourne Museum
- Royal Botanical Gardens
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Melbourne Aquarium
- State Library of Victoria
- Legoland Discovery Center
- ScienceWorks
Budgeting pocket money
If your kids receive pocket money or if they are older and have a part time job, a great way to practice maths and real-world skills is to budget an allowance. Encourage your child to take charge of their own money by budgeting and allocating funds for activities and items that they want to work towards.
Cooking and going to the shops
Going to the shops and following a recipe are other great ways to show your child real world maths skills. Encourage your child to practice maths by calculating discounts at the store, using money and weighing and measuring ingredients while cooking.
And remember, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude towards learning and activities. Your child will encounter new concepts and challenges while doing activities over the school holiday.
