Hello everyone
Today I wanted to share some ideas with you about how to make our
kids to study/read during summer holidays.
Yes, we have less than a month left till schools in Medway and
in the whole country break for the holidays.
As a mother I know how summer can sometimes become
challenging in terms of keeping children entertained.
I personally like to keep my son engaged throughout summer
with a bit of studying.
Especially when they are young, a month-long break can make
them to forget some of the things they learned at school.
So here is a little list about how you can organize their time:
1. Ask their ideas while making any plans
No matter how small the plan for the day is asking their ideas
and applying together will keep unforeseen tantrums as less as possible.
If we are not away for holiday I like to have 15 mins a day
reading time all together regardless of plans. This can be considered
an informal book club. During holidays I definitely take a book for each
family member and include it to our plans (for example, we’ll read
every other day together).
This will help kids to earn the habit of reading and eventually will
help them to do well on their 11+, SATs, GCSE and A-levels exams.
2. Stick to a certain routine
You don’t have to have rigid school-like schedule, but children
tend to behave well when they know what to expect.
When meal times, sleeping times and reading times are scheduled children automatically adjust to the day as soon as they wake up in the morning.
If your kids are preparing for 11+ exams during summer, it is ideal to have
a study time which spans over a few hours with regular breaks.
(I guess there is no need to mention healthy snacks, vegetables,
fruits and plenty of water.)
Don’t forget to establish these schedules with your children.
3. Include children to every activity around the house
This will make them to feel useful and needed. Also will teach
them life skills. You will see how you workload is lessened and
you have happy and busy children (of course tired ones too).
Although there is no need to mention this, but cooking is the best
way to keep kids busy (no matter of the age).
4. Tech-free days
You can choose a day where no phones, tablets, computers,
TV, radio, games are involved.
Of course you’ll need to decide on this day with your kids.
Accordingly you can plan more reading and writing for that day.
For instance, you can choose a little book, read all together and
write about different characters on the book. Kind of comprehension.
Also make sure daily screen time is as less as possible.
Hope we can enjoy many sunny days in Medway this year, so plenty
of splashing and picnics can be involved.
5. Outdoor reading
This can be a day in the park, forest, seaside, in your garden
where you can challenge every family member with reading.
Whoever reads most can get a treat. Medway is full of lovely parks
as you know.
If you have kids who are preparing for any exams, you can involve
all family to help them with difficult questions, to prepare snack for them, etc.
6. Encourage writing
Having good writing skills means you are 1-0 ahead in life.
As a tutor I always encourage students to write for every session,
even if it is a small text.
At home you can start writing a family dairy with children,
where everyone can share their thoughts about the day.
Involving writing to discussions or family games is another way of
teaching writing skills to children.
7. Be a “tutor” to your children
Setting a time for tasks and checking them will make you to have
control over any situation at home. This will also make children responsible.
Don’t forget to reward them each time (we tutors normally use stickers).
I hope you find this post useful.
Wishing you all happy summer holidays.
Afsana Hamzayeva