School breaks are generally a period of family bonding, relaxation, fun, and rest from academic activities. Time flies when the breaks are short. But, longer breaks can be a nightmare for most parents if not properly planned. The fears of a drop in the tempo of their children’s academic comprehension, undue distractions that may come from their spending more time in the house, and even the costs of creating fun events for prolonged periods may creep in.
Even though schools are on break, there are ways to encourage a love for learning in your children during the holidays while having fun. Remember, when children spend more time at home, they could get injured while playing or have other medical needs. You may need a telehealth app for easy access to medical personnel. Keep reading to discover effective ways to engage your kids during school breaks.
1. Take Them With You During Regular Grocery Shopping
There are days, whether bi-weekly or monthly when you go to the supermarket to shop for groceries. Taking your kids with you creates opportunities for them to learn many things in the real world beyond what is contained in their academic curriculum. For instance, if you are taking a walk to the train station from the grocery store, your kids may want to know if the groceries are grown on the kinds of trees they see along the way or how the trains can move on rails and not roads.
There are so many opportunities for learning everywhere as they run errands with you. Kids generally love to ask questions as a way of learning. As you answer their questions and encourage them to ask more, you nurture their hunger for knowledge and increase their love for learning.
2. Go on a Visit to the Museum
The museums are great places to visit as they offer dynamic opportunities for children to explore and experience new things in a non-formal educational environment. There are usually exhibits and other activities organized to give children the chance to own and explore their curiosities.
You can ask your kids to bring sketch pads to draw objects they like. This exposure deepens their understanding of the world around them and lays the foundation for creative and critical thinking. It also provides an opportunity for family bonding while encouraging active inquisition and developing problem-solving skills.
3. Reading
You can make reading part of your children’s daily routine. Let them see it as an important ritual, just like brushing their teeth in the mornings and having their siesta. You can read to the younger ones and provide fiction books for the older kids.
While this activity helps improve the vocabulary, pronunciation, and general literacy of younger children, older kids may gain knowledge about specific topics that may not be in their academic curriculum. Developing a reading habit can aid comprehension, which will be helpful when their school session resumes. Reading also helps reduce stress and foster better sleeping habits. So giving your kids books as gifts will do a lot for them.
4. Summer Camps
Summer camping is such a beautiful activity for kids during long holidays. It’s usually fun as the children get to explore, socialize, and learn with their peers in a less structured learning environment. The kinds of camps designed for children vary from scouting, coding, sports, hiking, and fitness camps. Religious organizations also organize camps that are mostly free of charge and give the children opportunities to gain moral and spiritual lessons that they might not learn on their own.
Since camping is mainly done outdoors, it gives children the opportunity to expand their worldview while gaining knowledge outside their classrooms. The outdoor orientation of the camps also exposes kids to injuries, insect bites, or allergies that they may need medical care for. So you should be sure to make arrangements for prompt access to healthcare.
5. Help Them Know Their Roots
The school break is a great time to help your kids discover their roots, meet extended families, and learn family traditions. This activity is non-academic and will be fun as they may travel to spend time with their cousins, uncles, aunts, or grandparents. In doing this, your children will gain valuable life experiences and create memories.
It would help them know more about where their parents come from and family members they can trust and call on in the future. And knowing their roots gives children a sense of belonging. Encourage bonding with persons who show attributes you desire to see in your children.