Our top tips for keeping on top of summer studies
Here’s some expert advice on how your child can make the most of their summer holidays, by finding a balance between relaxation and preparation…
It’s that wonderful time of year which young people have been looking forward to since Christmas: the summer holidays! Depending on your child’s school, they’ll have somewhere between 6-8 weeks of school holidays—perhaps with a summer school or two in the mix.
Of course, all children deserve a good break and a rest after the pressures and fun of the past academic year, but you might be worried that nearly two months out of school will impact their ability to focus for hours of learning each day. With that in mind, we’ve outlined some top tips to help you keep your child engaged and entertained throughout the summer months.
1. Rest and recuperate
With all the assessments, fun days and sports competitions your child has likely had in the past month, by the time summer rolls around they’ll be in need of a rest. Obviously summer is a great time for family holidays and days out, but keep in mind that your child may need some lazy days to catch up on sleep or recharge their social battery, too.
Allow them to make plans to see friends over the summer; arrange for them to do some fun things in the city you live in, such as exploring local historic sites, museums and gardens; and, most importantly, make sure they spend some time outside in nature.
2. Take a look at the upcoming year
If your child is moving school or beginning the next stage of their learning in August/September, it’s important to prepare them for any big changes to come. It might be a new uniform, a new set of teachers, or a new curriculum altogether if they’re making the jump to primary or secondary school, or starting GCSEs or 6th Form. Equally, your child might be taking their 11+ or 13+ entrance exams in the next year.
Whatever changes are coming, the summer holidays are a great opportunity to take some small steps forward, away from the pressures of school life. Here are some ideas for what those small steps might be…
Check your child’s school website for information on the subjects and topics they’ll be studying next year.
Do some internet research or ask your child if they know of any textbooks or reading books that might help them with next year’s studies—this could be particularly important if they’re starting GCSEs, A levels or IB.
Take a look at our expert articles on ISEB Pre-Tests, CAT4 Tests, or UKiset if there’s a chance your child will be sitting these entrance exams in the next two years; it’s very important to start preparation early!
If you haven’t yet decided about applying for boarding school in the UK, see our guidance on the application process.
Reach out to us about getting an expert tutor who can help prepare your child for the next academic year!
3. Get started on homework or summer reading
If your child is continuing with any of the same teachers next year, it’s likely they’ve been given some homework or summer reading to complete ahead of the next academic year. If they’re in the middle of their GCSEs, A levels or IB studies, this is even more likely—especially if they have texts to read for English or another language subject.
If your child is slightly younger, then you might want to get them an age-appropriate textbook or activity book that they can use to keep on top of their English and math skills over the holidays—just a little bit each week is enough!
4. Read!
This is probably the most important of our tips.
Making reading a daily habit over summer is a key way to ensure that your child maintains (or even improves) their reading level ahead of the new academic year. Despite not being in school, if they manage to read at breakfast, in the afternoon, before bed, or all of the above, then your child is more likely to settle into a stable routine—as well as sustain their ability to focus for set periods of time.
You can check out our recent article about how to get more reading into your day, but here’s a quick breakdown:
Regularity – build a reading habit into your child’s daily or weekly routine.
Accountability – give your child an incentive to hit a set reading target.
Accessibility – encourage them to take a book with them everywhere they go!
Effectuality – make sure they have time and space to concentrate on their reading, with no (digital) distractions.
Enjoyment – allow your child to read something they enjoy; they’re much more likely to pay attention and want to go back to it.
If you’d like some support with getting your child into a better reading routine, then get in touch to register your child’s interest in one of our summer book clubs! A reading group with peers is a great way to keep your child engaged and motivated, and we have something on offer for children of all ages.