BEAT THE SUMMER HOLIDAY BOREDOM BLUES

Beat the Summer Holiday Boredom Blues

A great way of keeping your child entertained throughout the summer holidays is to help them create a summer 'bucket' list of things that they would like to do over the holidays.  The activities can be varied, cost free and will inevitably develop key learning skills, such as reading, observing, questioning, creativity, etc.  The bucket list below is just an example.

•    Grow flowers.  Your child can plant seeds and care for them or alternatively place carrot tops in a saucer of water and watch them grow.  Encourage your child to measure, observe and record the growth of their seeds using words and images.

•    Join the local library and participate in their story telling events and competitions.

•    Visit a local museum.  Many museums will be holding special events and exhibitions during the summer holidays.

•    Go for a walk.  Use the walk to look for items on a list,

 e.g a red flower, a piece of sheep's wool, a nest, etc. 

•    Create a nature hotel in your garden by leaving a shallow saucer of water for birds to drink from, make bird feeders and plant flowers that attract bees and butterflies.  There are lots of websites to advise on how to do this.

•    Keep a journal or scrap book.  Encourage your child to record their holiday with words, drawings, photos as well as tickets, leaflets etc.  By keeping your own or a joint journal with your child you will be modelling good practice.

•    Research a location you will be visiting and share at least 5 interesting facts with other family members.

•    Write a review of the books that they read or the films they watched over the holidays.

•    Recycle.  Collect recycled card, tubes and packets that can be used to make collages or models.

 

•    Create a costume and prop box and act out plays or hold talent contests.

A summer 'bucket' list is a good way to share the holidays with your child; it gives them an opportunity to be digital free, to explore their local community and above all, share their ideas, observations and learning with you.

Jennifer Orgill