The back-to-school rush is upon us, and from shopping for uniforms to arranging clubs and activities, there’s so much to think about. Getting back into a routine with early wake-up times can be a challenge too!
One of the things parents often worry about at this time of year is how their kids will get back to learning. After weeks of lazy days and holidays, some children struggle to adjust to formal schooling, and for many, the issue of lost summer learning is very real.
Research shows that achievement levels can dip significantly during the holidays. And while this isn’t an issue for the very young, it can become a problem as children move up through primary school.
So what can you do to help your kids get ready for September and catch up on lost summer learning? Here are some ideas to give them the best possible start before the new school year gets underway!
Practice makes perfect
Practising maths and English for just a few minutes each day is a great way to help children progress, and this is especially true when it comes to countering summer learning loss.
While most kids might resist the idea of summer spelling or times tables practice, there are lots of great tech tools that make learning fun. To help kids get ready for September, Discovery Education is giving parents free access to its award-winning DoodleLearning apps for one month when they use the code 1_FREE_MONTH.
Designed to be used for just ten minutes a day and covering maths, English, times tables and spelling, the apps create every child a personalised learning experience, helping to boost their confidence and ability as the new school year gets underway.
Using the latest advances in learning and motivational technology, the apps are filled with thousands of fun, interactive exercises covering the whole curriculum, topping up their knowledge and building positive learning skills.
A study by the University of Bath showed that children who use DoodleMaths for 20 minutes a week are four times less likely to experience learning loss than their peers. In addition, recent research found that using Doodle ‘little and often’ doubles a child’s rate of progression!
Parents can sign up here and claim their free month by using the code 1_FREE_MONTH. But hurry: the last day to claim this offer is the 30th of September 2023.
Read for fun
Reading is one of the best ways to catch up on summer learning loss. And if you haven’t managed to find time to share books during the holidays, it isn’t too late to start!
A visit to the library can be a fun day out, especially if you haven’t visited before. Encourage your kids to take their time and explore the shelves at their own pace. Let them choose a book that appeals to them and try not to question their choices.
When it comes to encouraging kids to read, the old adage of not judging a book by its cover should never apply. Anything that switches kids onto reading is good!
To really inspire your little bookworms, why not model what good looks like by making time to read yourself? Remember that books in all forms are amazing. Whether you love an e-book, physical book or audio book, the words still count!
Write a summer diary
Another great way to get kids ready for school is by practising writing. Creating a journal of summer experiences can be a lovely project and it sets kids up perfectly for the one piece of work they’re bound to be assigned on their first day back in the classroom: ‘Write about what you did during the summer holidays’!
If you weren’t lucky enough to have a holiday this year, ask your kids to journal their everyday experiences. Perhaps they could keep a record of the weather? Or write about their thoughts and feelings?
Writing is a great way to foster creativity, and by asking kids to design their own journal, you can boost this even further. You could also get them involved in writing activities that take them outdoors, like the RSPB’s fun wildlife survey.
Educational screentime
All parents worry about summer screentime, but what if you could turn time spent online into a positive thing? Digital educational activities are a great way to achieve this, and luckily, there are lots of ways to ensure your children are benefitting as they snuggle up with a tablet.
At primary school age, most kids spend their time online watching streaming services. This passive screentime doesn’t build skills or encourage creativity, so it’s important to balance this with apps and games.
Coding is a particularly great activity because it combines children’s love for computers with practical, hands-on learning. From building computer games to designing apps, coding is lots of fun and easier than it sounds!
Plus, with many of tomorrow’s jobs expected to rely on coding skills, you’ll be giving your kids vital skills for the future. October will see the return of EU Code Week. Check out their website for ideas on how to get involved.
In summary…
And there we have it! We hope these tips help your kids feel really confident about heading back to the classroom.
For an extra back-to-school boost, don’t forget to claim your free month of Doodle. Simply head to the DoodleLearning website and enter the code 1_FREE_MONTH to get started.
Good luck for the new school year everyone!