Learning during the school holiday's

[Zigzag99]

My ds started school last year and moves up to year 1 in September.
Six weeks is a long time to be off school and I don't want him to forget what he has learnt during the last year - reading, writing, etc.
I am interested to know if other parents do learning activities with their children during the school holiday's and if so how often.
He reads to me 2 or 3 times a week and has practiced his handwriting a couple of times so far. I also try to sneak in addition/subtraction into everyday situations.

Way too young, just take him places, talk to him etc

Ps holidays doesn't need an apostrophe

I realise he is only 5 but it is only approx 10 minutes 2 or 3 times a week. Didn't think it was that much really!
Obviously I talk to him and take him places. We have gone swimming, park, soft play, made cakes amongst many other things so far!

Natural learning though doing is best. Don't push it.

Taking him places/cooking and doing arts/crafts is learning. You dont have to do it in a school format.
Let him enjoy being away from school.

OP my DD is way to young for this but I would provide opportunities for writing so have writing materials available, encourage writing his name or message in the sand, ask if he wants to write a shopping list before you go to the shops. I would do the same for numerous and say how many ducks can you see or how many more cakes do we need so your teddies can all have one.

I would not do anything formal. Maybe have a look on the dreaded Pinterest or home educators board.

Last year (between reception and year 1) we were told to do reading practice and a holiday diary in the holidays. I can't remember how religiously I stuck with it, but we did do bits and pieces. This year is way easier because she reads and writes out of choice - especially if we're on a day out and there's some sort of activity, so I haven't bothered doing anything structured with her. It's her birthday in the Summer hols so there are lots of thank yous to write though.

PS treasure hunts worked well with my dd when reading practice was painful

I would have him read every day, not just 2-3 days a week. I think that's the most important thing that parents can do for their DC's education.

Other than that, as people say lots of conversation, using everyday contexts for learning. Money and time are two areas where parents can really help- get your D'S to help pay for things, give him a lot of loose change so he can be familiar with the coins etc.

Thank you so much, lots of different responses.....and a spelling lesson too - thank you for that arbrighton!
My sons school has encouraged pupils to join the library and take part in the summer reading challenge where they read at least six books over the school holiday. They have also asked us to read Dr Seuss books as that will be one of the topics when they get back in September. I guess every school has different expectations.
I try to make learning fun rather than doing it in a school format so he doesn't actually know he is doing it.

Thank you everyone.

If you can find games that involve reading cards (Top Trumps?) or doing some mental arithmetic (or even just recognising numbers) also count. So, adding dice, counting on the board etc (Snakes and Ladders).

Learning should be fun at that age. Get him to write a shopping list whenever you go to the shop and to walk around with the list and tick them off. Play I Spy. Play that game where you have to think of things beginning with the same letter - but get him to write them down. Give him coins to add up - at night mine used to add up how much money I had in my purse.

Yes, board games are great, too. Frustration really lived up to its name!

I have twins who've just finished reception. We are keeping up reading practice just by getting them to read a few words/sentences from their bedtime story each night or reading signs and meniscus writing by doing things like writing birthday cards, shopping lists (tbh DD loves to write and just sits and does it without any encouragement from me!) and maths by doing things like weighing out ingredients, sharing out sweets between them, dealing with money in the shops etc.

Meniscus should say menus!

Playing games, taking them out and about, craft, helping you bake, writing your lists - this is all learning by osmosis. I know what you mean, they've had a great year and is it all going to fall out of their heads over the summer - but unless they're seriously behind it's fine.

Well we
*make a scrapbook of our day. This involves reading and writing. And drawing and gluing and sticking. And glitter. It is fun!
*read books every evening. And anywhere we are going!
*Play games for numbers. Count coins out if in a shop.
It's enough! Keep it fun :)