Mumsnet users share tips for keeping children focused during the summer school term with Premier League Primary Stars

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity is closed

The summer school term can feel like a bit of a struggle for both parents and DC; it’s coming to the end of the year, the sunshine is out and a well-deserved break is on the horizon. With that in mind, the Premier League would love you to share your tips and experiences of keeping your DC engaged with learning during the summer term.

Here’s what the Premier League has to say: “We understand that children sometimes need some additional encouragement when it comes to learning, both in the classroom and at home. Our Premier League Primary Stars programme uses the appeal of football to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills. More than 15,000 schools are already using the football-themed teaching resources for maths, English, PE and PSHE lessons but we know that learning doesn’t stop at the school gates. So, to give parents a helping hand we have created activities and an interactive online game designed to extend learning to the home too.”

Watch their video here:

If the weather is nice do you try and get them to complete any homework outside? Perhaps you try giving your DC regular pep talks to keep them motivated? Maybe you have a reward system in place to ensure they stay on track?

However you keep your DC motivated during the summer term, comment on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw, where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Lots of outdoor learning activities when the weather is nice

Homework is generally still done in the house, sitting at the table - I find consistency works with my two, so we follow the normal routine and they will still knuckle down and do their work. Maybe I'm lucky?

We do like to go outside to do reading though in the summer - sitting on a bench at the park or under a tree etc. This way, once they've read, they get the treat of a play and maybe even an ice-cream from the van.

Also, if there's any subjects/topics they are really enjoying at school we tend to do a day trip/weekend away in the summer to boost their knowledge and keep their interest up.

same as any other time, homework 1st, and then play/relaxing

We do reading at bedtime because the kids think they are getting to stay up late..and screens can only be had one day a week on the provision all homework is done. where possible we add in fun games in the garden like times tables with the swing ball or spellings eye spy, so they do the extra on top of the home work and don't really notice it as it has become the norm.

We homeschooled so summer was full of trips to castles, battle grounds etc. with lots of outdoor learning, painting, projects etc

I'm a National Trust member with DD and my Father, it's fantastic value, plus goes toward the upkeep of the houses and gardens. They have loads on, especially during the school holidays, and a lot of it is really fascinating, and educational. They can include tours back through history, garden walks and worksheets. We went to 'Quarry Bank Mill' the other day and after going round the old mill, listening to talks, we did a nature trail. DD loved it, as did my Father and Grandfather.

Definitely letting them decide where they wanna go at the end of the month as a reward for doing homework. It's an added incentive.

I entice them with family days out.
Last week we went to shrieks adventure for a treat!

First few weeks are all about fun and winding down, after that their own boredom makes it reasonably easy to do activities that keep the brain ticking over

plan treat days for weekends when they get a total break from all schoolwork, chores etc....but only if they have concentrated during the week of course

GCSE time here so focus is essential but DS1 is so tired all the time as the preparation has been relentless. Our school leaves no stone unturned which gives students the very best chance (DD did wonderfully well last year despite being more artistic and not so science/mathematically minded as DS1 and DS2). So in terms of focus, I'm working on the principle of little and often. DS1 has a great memory but knows the point when things stop going in, so we've encouraged him to study in shorter bursts with a recap at the end of each day. Also sitting in the garden helps I find. The other two also like sitting outside with homework, which I can relate to as well.

creating a “boredom jar” with your children to encourage them to come up with their own activities. “Fill a glass container with slips of folded paper with ideas on, which children have come up with themselves. These can range from reading a book to baking cakes to tidying their bedroom. Every time your child feels bored, encourage them to dip into the jar without looking. The rule is they have to have a go at whatever idea they pull out.”

I've found it pretty handy to avoid talking about summer holiday plans until the time comes because that can all be quite distracting! Try to keep routine all the same until the end of term!

Outdoor homework sessions with a good space to work i.e. table and chairs set up ready for them. Lots of outdoor time after school as a 'reward' for being well behaved during the day.

Get out and about as much as possible, there are plenty of free places to visit & activities to keep most children happy & contented.

Homework first then play!

To help motivate them we ensure some homework is completed first before rewarding the effort with some fun activity afterwards such as going to the park or going for ice cream

letting them play outside after they have done all of their homework.

Do homework in the fresh air if the weather's nice & we like to make Maths a fun game for my great niece. We use toys for adding & subtracting etc

Now this is hard. I've found the best way is to do a little each day, usually straight after breakfast. Anything from 10-30 mins is good.
Then the fun things can happen.

my son loves activity books and his school doesn't give homework over summer holidays, just a project in the other holidays.

my son loves activity books and his school doesn't give homework over summer holidays, just a project in the other holidays.

We try to make learning fun and then play - outdoors if the weather's nice - afterwards. Occasionally we'll do the homework in the garden but that can lead to distractions!

We make sure we have at least an hour a day doing activity books that I find in poundland/home bargains. Great and fun for kids and it's something to do as summer holidays are LONG!

Planning lots of treats to look forward to at weekends and dividing work up into manageable segments.