Here are a few tips to keep your children engaged and motivated with education over the summer holidays:
- Keep changing the environment in which your child learns in:
Nobody likes the idea of being stuck in a bedroom all summer, therefore introduce learning into a fun and relaxing environment, will make it feel much less of a chore.
- If the weather is warm (which we can only hope for!) make the most of it. Take your child outside with their books, and suggest they study there with a cool drink, a sun lounger, and an umbrella to provide shade..
- If your child has a friend sitting the same 11+ exam, encourage a study day. Encourage them to meet up, revise together, complete a test paper at the same time, take turns testing each other or work together on a writing task or comprehension paper.
- Use various different learning materials:
The process of learning is different for everyone- don’t rely on one method of learning to get your child through the 11+ exam. In order to keep the learning interesting and engaging, variety in the way they learn and different revision techniques will help- for all you know they may find a new revision technique that works well for them.
- Produce a reading list for your child- reading is an effective way for your child to learn as it can help with vocabulary, comprehension and writing. Reading can be done whilst your child is on a long car journey, on holiday or whilst sitting at home and needs to be kept entertained. Ensure the book is challenging but still engaging for your child.
- Whilst reading books are a good way to keep your brain stimulated, another way is using puzzle books. Logic puzzles, crosswords and word searches can all be used to good effect. Allow your child to pick out some of these books at your local shop, or if you are going on holiday at the duty free shop, and effectively do these puzzles.
- Reinvigorate your Child:
Whilst we want to our children to succeed, we also want to protect them and encourage their ability to enjoy their childhood. Giving your child the freedom to do what they want will ensure they are happy which in turn keeps them motivated and wont cause them to lose concentration easy.
- Attempt to get a healthy, well balance between life and study for your child by ensuring they have plenty of time for relaxation, hobbies and exercise. Whilst it may be tempting to push your child as much as possible, to complete an extra text paper, or revise for extra hour, ensure to keep to a fair timetable as they will help you both achieve the end goal.
- If your child lacks in concentration for a while, talk through your child’s progress with them and take note of where they are up to and what needs to be worked on. If needed, allow your child to take a week off of studying, it is much better to take a week from studying and come back feeling revitalised and fresh rather than to allow their focus to diminish.
- Make revision timetable over Easter, and encourage your child to mark off what has been achieved and reassess what needs to be covered regularly. If your child has completed work early, reward them by suggesting time off at some point during the summer. If they have fallen behind with work, create a new timetable taking this into account.
- And remind your child that the exams are soon approaching so this level of studying is only short-lived and once it is over, their freedom will be returned and they will be rewarded.