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

[EllieMumsnet]

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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

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I always make sure homework gets done before playing. If she has a fair bit of homework I try and space it out over the course of the summer hols to keep her on track with things. If she does it all at the beginning she'll probably forget it all!

We don't change routine during Summer term but the rules are always that homework is done before playing games etc either inside or outside. The promise of the approaching long Summer holiday and what we have planned ensures that this happens.

Lots of time in the fresh air, we try and squeeze the homework/reading in before play time, after dinner or on rainy days, so we all get to have lots more outdoor fun. They're on their bikes or scooters every day when it's not raining.

Bribery!

Try to keep to the same routine, and definitely homework before screen time, also plenty of little treats and breaks so they don't feel to deprived

Homework outside, and as soon as we get home from school before they get out to play. I find that all year we are best doing homework straight away and then they know they have the rest of the evening to themselves, so no change really for us.

We are not too strict here as the kids are younger then 5 - but we always squeeze in some 'educational work' before bedtime - we make it fun, so learning becomes a joy rather than a chore!

Doing homework outside is great as well as the incentive of an ice-cream or lolly for when they've finished! When it's very hot, we go to the park after dinner when it's much cooler as a treat as well.
I always sit with my kids when they're doing homework either doing paperwork or reading.

We never changed routine as long as homework done that fine

My eldest is studying for exams at the moment but we've tried to keep her focused by suggesting she revises outside when it's nice - she seems to like this and I set her up with a little table with an umbrella over and a few snacks with plenty of water.

With longer days, good bedtime routines are important to make sure they are bright eyed and bushy tailed for the next day.

Always make learning fun if the weather is fine sit outside and of course plenty of playtime!

we try and take school work out with us in the nicer days find a nice park and they dont mind working and playing

giving them lots of things to look forward to such as evening picnics, a holiday, weekend events they can spend time with us. Making sure they have down time, watching tv and just doing nothing at all.

a combination of threats and bribery - same as the rest of the year!!!

we've always had a rule that homework is done before playing out/watching tv and i think this helps to keep them focussed. Also remember to have fun once homework is done so they look forward to doing something nice

While we are away on holiday we let DCs off any school work, but while we're at home we find it helps to keep them ticking over to set a couple of 30 minute tasks a week.

small regular breaks with small regular rewards

small regular breaks with small regular rewards and targets. My daughter is now at Uni and still follows the same mantra - earn the reward, enjoy the reward

Have educational days interspersed with fun days throughout the holidays to keep the children's minds active and make it easier for them to start back at school in the new term.

We do reading on set days and home work Sunday night's as a rule of thumb

we do trips related to what they are learning in school this way it keeps them engaged throughout the break

We always make time for play on the way home from school and let them have a runaround at the park with their friends. Then they know we then go home to get homework done and talk through what they've done during the day and any problems they've had, this is done at the kitchen table and gives me a chance to get the dinner ready at the same time.

Homework first then a picnic in the local park.

We take part in any local activities, which fortunately there are plenty.