School holidays often pose a challenge for parents. Although you may be happy to spend more time with them, many children become bored, distracted, or restless with extended time at home. This usually happens if you still work during the holidays, are not always home, or find nothing productive to keep your child engaged.
You may also worry that your child’s lack of focus during holidays will affect their academic progress and create a learning gap. But there’s nothing to worry about. In this blog post, you’ll see 8 ways to productively engage your child and ensure wholesome growth this holiday.
Why It’s Important to Keep Your Child Engaged During Holidays
Holidays provide the perfect opportunity for balanced growth for children. They get to relax, learn through play, and bridge learning gaps, strengthening your child’s understanding of subjects they found challenging during the term.
With the right approach and resources, you can help your child stay engaged while developing critical thinking and creativity.
8 Ways to Engage Your Child During School Holidays
Here are practical tips to keep your child engaged during the break:
1. Create a Holiday Routine
A structured routine can help your child stay focused. Allocate specific times for study, play, and relaxation. For instance, mornings can be reserved for chores and academic activities, while afternoons are for hobbies or creative play. A predictable schedule keeps your child disciplined while offering plenty of downtime to recharge.
2. Incorporate Interactive Learning Tools
Children thrive when learning feels like play. Consider platforms like the uLesson app, which provides interactive video lessons, quizzes, and games tailored to the NERDC and International Cambridge curriculum.
These tools break down complex topics into simple, engaging formats, helping children understand concepts better. For example, a child struggling with fractions can watch videos and practise using fun, step-by-step guides.
3. Explore Real-Life Applications of Lessons
Make learning relatable by connecting it to real-life scenarios. If your child is learning about calculations in maths, involve them in budgeting during shopping, where they can practise their maths skills.
Science experiments using household items—like making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar—can also make learning fun.
4. Encourage Reading for Pleasure
Reading helps improve comprehension and vocabulary, skills that are crucial for academic success. Let your child choose books that match their interests, whether it’s adventure stories or science fiction.
5. Introduce Personalised Learning
Every child learns differently, and personalised learning adapts to their pace and style. With uLesson, for instance, your child can revisit topics they found difficult or progress ahead in subjects they enjoy.
Features like AI-powered homework help provide instant explanations for confusing questions, ensuring your child doesn’t stay stuck on a tricky question.
6. Balance Screen Time and Hands-On Activities
While digital learning is excellent, don’t forget to include offline activities like puzzles, board games, and arts and crafts. These activities stimulate critical thinking and creativity, keeping your child’s mind active without feeling like “schoolwork.”
7. Set Achievable Goals and Celebrate Wins
Help your child set small goals, like mastering a maths topic or finishing a book by the end of the week. Celebrate their achievements with rewards, such as a family movie night or a trip to their favourite park. Recognition motivates children to keep striving.
8. Cook or Bake Together
Get your child involved in the kitchen to make simple meals or bake snacks. Use the opportunity to teach them about measurements and fractions, and bond as a family.
Beyond the educational aspect, this activity encourages teamwork, teaches cooking as a skill, and gives children a sense of accomplishment when they see—and taste—the final product.
Transform Your Child’s Holiday Experience
Holidays should be a mix of rest, recreation, and personal growth. A well-rounded holiday schedule can help your child discover their strengths, address learning gaps, and build their confidence.
By engaging your child productively, you’re not only preparing them for the next term but also instilling a love for lifelong learning.
With uLesson, you can keep your child engaged and learning in a way that’s fun, effective, and cost-efficient. Don’t let holidays become a time of regression.
Help your child turn every break into an opportunity for growth and discovery. Download the uLesson app or use the web version today to turn every holiday into an exciting opportunity for growth!