Tips for Learning During the School Holidays

• Reading is a great activity for children to engage in to keep their brains stimulated over the holidays. Regular readers are more likely to succeed at school, have improved concentration, have wider vocabularies, and be confident, self-directed learners. Reading opens children up to new worlds and viewpoints. Through books, they learn to make sense of the world around them, learn life lessons about friendship, family, and love and expand their general knowledge.
• MasterChef Just like the TV shows, encourage your child to host a dinner party and film them cooking the meal. Make your own “Masterchef or “My Kitchen Rules,” episode. Not only is this idea wildly entertaining and important for later self-sufficiency but cooking also activates the neural pathways used in maths and English. Measuring out ¾ cup of flour for a chocolate mud cake is an enjoyable way for your child to understand how fractions and calculations work. It is also great for visual learners to see each ingredient measured out in front of them. By reading and interpreting a recipe your child is also applying their English comprehension skills.
• Teach your children that the building blocks for success at school and in life can be found everywhere. From visits to the zoo, museums, and camping during a beach holiday – there are ample opportunities for children to build up their information stash about the world during the holidays. These experiences can prove invaluable and what they learn can be used throughout their lives.
• Children will love creating their very own blog or webpage over the holidays. Some blogging platforms are specifically customised for children, making the setup process simple for your child. Encourage your child to write a blog on a topic they are passionate about, so they maintain their interest. This might involve them writing on topics like photography, the latest fashion hairstyles, or their favourite sporting team.
• Make time these school holidays to play board games together as a family. Not only will this provide a great opportunity for you and your children to bond, but with the right game, their minds are also ripe for stimulation and learning. Younger, primary school-aged children will benefit from games like Snakes and Ladders and Trouble where they can practice their counting and calculating skills. Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, and Chess require strategic thinking and money management skills – perfect for building brain architecture.

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY BREAK!

Mrs Sue Zweck, Head of Teaching and Learning K-5