Ever year in the Summer Holidays, I go to the Library with my eldest to complete the Summer Reading Challenge. Miss N loves it, she loves reading anyway so this is a great was of her exploring new titles during the holidays at no extra cost.
We have done this since she was around 4 years old, I always find that keeping her brain active during the summer holidays helps her once she gets back to school.
This year, I visited her teacher, after the reports were given out, and asked (for the first time) for extra things for her to do during the holiday. I did this for a few reasons really:
1. There is an over 6 year age gap between my girls, Miss N is 8 (9 in September) and Miss A is just 2, so they do have very different needs. Both need me, but as the only person who is at home during the day, sometimes this can be tricky. Miss N, really responds to being given things to do. She’ll quite happily investigate something by reading a book to find the answer. She also loves a challenge, she used to be very nervous when it came to maths, but the more her confidence has grown, the more she relishes a challenge! I also realise that sometimes, being around a noisy toddler, is just no fun at all, and she like to take herself off and have some time to herself.
2. Crisis of Confidence – after the summer break, lots of children I think, start to wonder what the new year will bring. Will they like their new teacher?
‘Now I’m in year X, so and so says it’s going to be much harder’ and ‘My new teacher is really strict in maths’.
I am all for making this transition period easier, I try to do this by, during the summer holidays recapping, on some of the things they have learnt. Making sure they have a good book to read. I’m not talking about every day! And when we are away, we don’t do anything at all, but enjoy our holiday and have fun. I also think they learn so much when on holiday anyway, whether it’s a little bit about a different language or culture, or currency…the list is endless really!
3. Boredom – We all know that at some point its going to be rainy and miserable, there only so many rainy day activities that anyone can think up (last summer I ran out) so what better thing to do than, snuggle up with a good book, then write a review, or have a chat about what you thought about it?
Well Miss N’s teacher, was more than happy to help, she has given me some projects to do with her over the summer, and a couple of website’s that are suitable as well.
I would be really interested to hear what other people do. Do you do this? Do you think it’s too much, a summer holiday should be just that, a holiday?
thank you for reading the
anamumdiary x
P.S here are some of the details of this year summer reading challenge, taken from their site :
Roll up, roll up for Circus Stars, the website for the Summer Reading Challenge 2011.
Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at your library during the school holidays – it’s FREE – and you’ll get a stage set and stickers to start you off. As you read your way through six books, you help the Circus Stars progress through Practice and Rehearsal to their ultimate goal – Showtime!
The fun doesn’t stop at the library though! Right here is where you create your own avatar and join our gang on a journey through games and activities. You can keep track of the books you’re reading, send messages to other Circus Stars, and even meet some famous authors!
Kat got the cream says
Great advice A. Will be in need of these tips myself soon. Thanks x
Tracy says
I think they DO need a break, but 6 weeks (in my opinion) is too long not to do something that resembles school work, and I know for a fact that some children do go back in September, ‘forgetting’ a lot of what they’ve learned during school, so I think it’s important to provide them some form of stimulation that is both educational and fun! What you’ve suggested sounds great, especially with Miss N being an avid reader.
I feel a plan coming on! 😉 Thanks for this!
mollyandtheprincess says
I love the photo of N reading! I always stocked up on books for the holidays, and lots of activity books too when mine were younger (we didn’t have computer, or any games consoles then, how times have changed!). I used to start the hols with ‘big plans’ for what we’d do, but soon ended up ‘playing it by ear’. The weeks go so quickly, the school holidays will be over before you know it – hope you all have lots of fun.