Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Is anyone dc doing some extra work over the break to make up for lost time?

79 replies

Homeontherangeuk · 22/07/2021 10:23

My dc are doing some workbooks & twinkl wordsearches/crosswords etc to keep the brain ticking over, reading loads of library also... Anyone else?

OP posts:
LBOCS2 · 22/07/2021 10:24

Nope. My DC are meeting expectations for their respective academic stages and have had a weird, unsettled year. They always have access to books and educational apps but mostly we're going to spend the summer chilling out, seeing friends, going on holiday. A bit of normalcy for them.

Scarby9 · 22/07/2021 10:26

Do you think that your DC suffered academically through this year? Do you know what they have fallen behind with?
If so, it might be worth finding some related little activities.
Otherwise reading daily is what you would want to encourage in any case.

Crazysheep · 22/07/2021 10:28

Absolutely not. I work in education and my children have been through enough. They need time to process it all and be children. The schools are aware that children will need to catch up and make up for lost time and they will. They will be reading but that is by choice as DD especially is a book worm.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General education
IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 22/07/2021 10:29

No but they haven’t missed anything as all remote learning was done.

FogHornInTheAttic · 22/07/2021 10:31

No.Its the 6 week holidays and ds is starting a new school in sept (will be year 3)
I want him to relax and have fun.
He met every expectation so I feel there is no need for additional work.

Flamglimglubberty · 22/07/2021 10:32

Only boredom killing bits like you've mentioned. Whenever I hear "I'm bored" out comes a cross word, word search, colouring by numbers etc

DS is doing the summer reading challenge, it was his choice he's been badgering me for the last week to take him to the library and sign up for it.

Youdiditanyway · 22/07/2021 10:37

No. They will still read daily but that’s non negotiable in our house anyway, they’ve read or been read to every day since they were born pretty much. Workbooks are not happening though, we’ve had enough homeschooling to last a lifetime and I’m mostly going to let them chill the fuck out.

Youdiditanyway · 22/07/2021 10:38

DS is doing the summer reading challenge

Mine do this every summer bar last year obviously, it’s a great idea.

WhenZoomWasJustAnIceLolly · 22/07/2021 10:42

No way are they! They have had enough dry home learning sitting with worksheets. There’s more to learning than that and they will be getting as many good experiences in before we inevitably lock down again

Flamglimglubberty · 22/07/2021 10:47

OP also check out pawprint family. They're like cub/rainbow badges. They're only £1.50 each and come with a resource sheet with challenges for each one. Great way to kill some time and get in some learning without the kids realising and isn't worksheets... think arts and crafts, outdoor activities, mindfulness, environmental awareness, healthy eating, community spirit

I've ordered DS a few and will stitch them onto his favourite blanket as and when he completes them.

3WildOnes · 22/07/2021 10:49

Absolutely not. What my children have really missed out on this year is social interaction and playing with their friends. I have organised lots of play dates, fun days out and the odd day of holidays clubs here and there for them to attend with their friends.

SnarkyBag · 22/07/2021 10:52

Nope time for rest, relaxation and fun.
They will be developing their life skills and learning all about what it takes to keep the house ticking over though Grin

Pinkflipflop85 · 22/07/2021 10:53

Nope. We did the online learning and he's GD in all areas. Reading happens regularly in this house so that will carry on. We will probably pick up the free white rose maths books from morrisons when they come out but I won't force him to do them.

TheTurn0fTheScrew · 22/07/2021 10:55

God no. My primary school kid isn't someone who reads for pleasure so won't even be doing much of that. I might get some more challenging sheet music for her if I can find something that she'll really fancy playing, but that's it.

TeenMinusTests · 22/07/2021 11:05

We always did summer reading challenge & summer diaries anyway.
As they were behind we tended to do a bit of maths too from upper juniors onwards. It helps stop the summer slide.

DD has just finished y11 but missed most of it due to health. She is going to start a very little prep work for her college course and if necessary we'll pick up maths after results day.

Original poster
Homeontherangeuk · 22/07/2021 11:08

@Flamglimglubberty

OP also check out pawprint family. They're like cub/rainbow badges. They're only £1.50 each and come with a resource sheet with challenges for each one. Great way to kill some time and get in some learning without the kids realising and isn't worksheets... think arts and crafts, outdoor activities, mindfulness, environmental awareness, healthy eating, community spirit

I've ordered DS a few and will stitch them onto his favourite blanket as and when he completes them.

Oh I'll look this up, sounds great!
OP posts:
thelegohooverer · 22/07/2021 11:14

No. My ds masks through the school term and needs to chill and just be himself. He could definitely use extra help in some subjects but we have to prioritise his mental health. This year more than ever.

And dd has enough with coping with her dh being himself without me adding any pressure.

I do like them to set a summer goal of their own choosing and help them work out how to achieve it, and if they don’t identify why they’re not if they’re not - as a very low key way of developing their executive function skills. That’s about the height of it.

MilkCereal · 22/07/2021 11:17

Yes. My dd didnt meet expectations in maths in certain areas so working on that. Carol vorderman
app. Ds can do a little practice on reading eggs.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 22/07/2021 11:17

Absolutely not. This summer will be all about being outside and catching up with as many friends as possible.

Unless a teacher has specifically said your child needs additional work over the holidays (and I doubt many would) why would you do this to your child?

TooGood2BeFalse · 22/07/2021 12:24

Noo,my son just finished Yr 3 and his school were seriously strict with remote learning,I actually think he was assigned more than usual. He was exhausted by end of term (mid June,not in UK) and I personally don't think any more work would be good for him.

roguetomato · 22/07/2021 12:36

My dc has always done some work through the summer, so yes, will be doing it this year too. Still have plenty of time to play and relax.

Camomila · 22/07/2021 12:43

I'm going to get some phonics type reading books for 5 year old DS1 over the summer - not to "catch up" as he's doing fine but because he wants to read all by himself and his Julia Donaldson etc. stories are still a bit too tricky.

We're also going to practise our Italian - we live nearer my Italian parents now and toddler DS2 only seems to speak Italian Grin So I'd feel bad if DS1 didn't speak it too.

DGFB · 22/07/2021 12:48

Yes, a few hours here and there. Lots of fun and holidays also planned

PeonyTime · 22/07/2021 12:56

Yes.
15 mins a day, when not physically on holiday, really doesnt need to be a hardship.
If I dont DS1 wouldn't pick up a pen/pencil/brush for the entire time, and you can really tell by the end of the holidays.

Kanaloa · 22/07/2021 13:00

No, they’ve had a rubbish year and I think they’re as sick as I am of me being their teacher. They’ll still read/draw as they like to and DD10 will write stories because she likes to do so. The rest of the time we’ll catch up on seeing family and friends and visiting new places, which is what they’ve actually missed out on.