Summer Slide and School work over the holidays

[TisforTreacle]

Good evening,

With the schools breaking up for summer in the next few weeks, have any of you thought about organising school work over the summer? AIBU to set work for my kids?

Now hear me out. I know there is some dispute as to how much a child is likely to forget over the holidays if anything at all, but everything I’ve come across has said a couple hours a week would mitigate any learning loss. For the sake of a few hours, I can’t see it would do much harm.

I don’t want my kids, stuck indoors with their heads in the books. But they are early risers, I thought maybe two mornings a week to do an hour of school work. Probably 7-8am. That way, it leaves the rest of the day.

Bit of maths, bit of reading and a topic of their choice.

Is this unreasonable? Am I a terrible mother for contemplating such a thing?

• I’m not a tiger mum, I rarely have anything to do with their homework. Was thinking of just setting aside a few worksheets they can do when eating their cereal.

My twins are six and we’re in the States, so they just finished school today and will be off for the next 11 weeks. 😬 I’m planning to create a booklet of activities for them to dip into every morning first thing. I’m only expecting them to do 5-10 minutes practising sight words and some equations. They read to me at bedtime and various other times throughout the day. We’ll also be going on holiday, they’ll go to camps, and we’ll have plenty of days out. I just think they’ll find it easier in September if they’ve consistently reviewed some of the key stuff they’ve learned this year. I imagine they’ll do it pre-7am and then we’ll get on with the day.

We have long summer holidays, nearly 10 weeks, so I usually do summer school with my school age child. Maths practice with online maths games, reading eggs (until she became a confident reader) and one year I did history theme weeks where we studied different history periods each week (think that was the year she was grounded for 3 weeks at the start of the summer holidays so went a bit more indepth). Not doing it this year though and doubt we'll be doing it again (until I can do it with my youngest once he starts school), she's outgrown it I suppose.

Last year I winged it, this year I have a bit more of a plan, but only slightly because I’ve already ordered some of the work books.

we usually visit the library at least once a week and they usually do a summer reading challenge that the DC loved last year.

Thanks for all the ideas and tips everyone, much appreciated

All I ever did with mine at primary age was reading - registered with the library summer reading challenge so there was some structure. They would have hated me for inflicting work books on them, but I guess it depends on the nature of the child. (Primary teacher btw)

We have a very busy summer but dc aged 9 & 10 will be doing English, Irish, ó maths & spelling workbooks on the days we have no plans, they also read loads & I read loads to them... They enjoy workbooks. We're in Ireland & school finished June 25th, reopening on September 1st so it really is a long break for them to do nothing at all...

Yes, definitely. Ds likes doing Maths and English workbooks. He'll also be doing the library reading challenge and lots of art.

Been on holiday for 7 weeks now. My 11 year old had to write something yesterday and she actually said "I've forgotten how to write a G" so perhaps I should have done something this year too!