The school holidays can be something most parents dread. Having to keep your kids occupied while you are trying to work is, undoubtedly, one of life’s most difficult balancing acts.
When it’s a long summer holiday we need to find things to keep them occupied, but we also need to keep the momentum going in terms of their learning. Children view the summer holidays as an opportunity to down tools and not learn anything, but if you were a child that found it really tough to even remember what you had learned just before the summer, it is essential to find ways to help your children maintain that mental muscle. Let’s show you what you can do.
Give Them a Project
This works wonders in many ways. If you set your child a task that comes with a very specific deadline, it gives them the motivation to do something and it also ensures that they are out of your hair when necessary! If you want them to present something at the end of the summer, you can also break down the project into chunks and give them some resources to get them started so they can conduct a lot of research too.
The key is about making it something they have an interest in, so if they like space and exploration you can start by giving them more info about the moon cycles to ignite their interests or point them towards a few TV shows that can keep them occupied and entertained. Your child could lose enthusiasm, but this is why you are going to give them a big reward at the end of it! Much like paying our children for doing their chores, this is one of the best methods that keep them occupied, engaged, and focused on the end product.
Give Them a Book to Read
If you give them a project to complete, it’s natural that they are going to feel tired or demotivated from time to time, so if you need to keep them occupied while you work, think about giving them something else in the meantime.
Books are more challenging depending on their age, but if reading is something they hate, giving them something that they are interested in is, yet again, the key to keeping them motivated. Getting into the habit of asking them at the breakfast table what has happened in the book so far is a very simple method to make sure that they are reading it!
Take Them Outside
Finally, if your kids are into sports and the weather is wonderful, this is the best solution. While we appreciate setting up a project or asking them to read a book may be impossible for your child, keeping your children occupied while still learning something doesn’t necessarily have to equate to something traditionally academic.
You can set them challenges in the back garden like doing 100 keepy-uppies or doing a certain amount of push-ups. Transforming your back garden into a little gym and setting a challenge can keep them occupied but it’s also going to keep them healthy, and you can also join in when time allows!
What activities do you find keep your children occupied during the school holidays?
Keep Your Children On Track During The Summer Holiday
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