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 try to make the learning fun, I also make sure homework is done in the morning if we can as I find they concentrate better,

we have regular trips to the library to encourage them to read and enjoy books

we make sure that reading and some type of creative/crafting done each day.

Homework first, playing afterwards!

Homework is done asap then plenty of time to unwind/ enjoy making memories as a family the rest of the time :-)

Go for long walks and enjoy the local parks :)

My son does his homework before we go to the park or to the seafront for some relaxing time, or for a kickabout on the seafront common. I also try to visit places during the summer break with an educational element, i.e. the museums in London, local Naval attractions in our town, and the library or places with fun days/events where kids can become involved in interactive learning activities.

Ds is football and basketball mad. Absolutely we use this as motivation as he'd do anything to get outside and kick a ball about for hours. Also he can only do football after school club if he's behaved and been nice to his little sister. Not an easy task as she is awful to him poor lad.

Walking to school helps keep their brain focused at school. We have always had a screen ban from the week days (Mon-Thu).

Don't overbook the weekends in the summer term, they get really tired this term. Ice lolly treats on school pickup (small cool bag required) for treats. We freeze a bottle of water overnight and take that in (along with a standard water). It keeps cold all day.

I like to have a routine in place. Get home, uniform off, any homework completed that needs to be done, with help if necessary. Then its chill time, we enjoy playing with our animals & on nice days having a picnic in the garden. Time spent together just chatting about our days is perfect downtime too 😻

Same as usual really but if they play outside, homework must be done first.

Hmmm - Focused.....We believe in learning through adventure and experience so usually cram the holidays with as much activity as we can from fossil hunting on the beach to building deans in the woods - it is all learning and valuable life skills. We then spend time talking about these experiences and preparing them so on their return to the classroom they have lots to recall

We keep the routine the same.... home, homework/reading and then they can play or screen time.

Same as any other term really, always take an interest in what they're doing in school and lots of positive praise.
The hot weather (when we get it) is lovely and it seems a shame to miss out, but there's nothing to stop families heading outside to do homework or reading together in the fresh air.

My children are not given homework during the summer holidays but they are constsntly learning, even though it may not always seem like learning.

For example, we play board games in the summer evenings like monopoly which is good for literacy and maths as they work out dice totals and how much they have to pay for landing on properties, working out change etc.

When we go to Greece for two weeks they learn about the local culture, speak basic Greek to the locals, read menus and work out meal price totals (my ten year old even works out 15% tip).

Our local library run a summer reading challenge which the children enjoy completing.

Whilst walking or travelling anywhere we plays games like eye spy, quick maths or the rhyming game.

My two kiddies also like to help out with household chores such as cooking, hoovering, basic diy like hanging pictures, which also help with life skills.

Children learn more when they are having fun and they do not necessarily need to know they are learning xx

Summertime is a great opportunity to enhance development by getting out and making learning hands on. Travel is especially useful, if there is genuine interaction with other peoples and cultures.

My children are older now, but we didn't do anything different simply because it was summer.

Have lots of toys and games that require them going outside, and not staying glued to a laptop.

I'm also studying too, so that encourages my DD. I also love to read, so she also take a huge interest in reading books and we often talk about and share our views. I think taking an interest in your DC school work and being enthusiastic about learning is great. When my friend's come over, they also try and encourage my DD to read, bringing different books with them. Now she realises you can read for pleasure too and not just for school, she's certainly taken more of an interest in it.

We love to have the back doors open and encourage them to go outside as much as possible. We do homework outside as much as possible and reward with treats / ice creams. An extra five minutes at bed time seems to work well too

My little boy loves to come home and get straight in the garden making learning time difficult so we have found a few sneaky ways to get maths and English skills improved through play .
He is 5 and loves tennis so every time he hits an obstacle over with the ball he subtracts a number starting from ten .
We also put some of his action men outside and add /take away some of them to test his maths
Playing pass with a ball is great for improving counting my LO loves doing this
For English we have put words on his building bricks using a marker pen so he can build a house or a tower and make sentances at the same time , I just wrote some words on paper and used celotape to attach them

I think there are loads of fun ways to encourage little ones to learn without being the bad guy and spoiling all the fun

We get all revision, homework etc done first and then we do the fun stuff, bath with posh bubble bath or movies and some crisps or something outside ‘to clear away the cobwebs’ fresh air works wonders!
I make sure we tell them we are pleased with the work they do and that they can do their best and we will be proud of them.
We try to make sure they don’t stay up to late and that they have decent meals and also for my daughter snacks for before her exams as she worries her tummy will tumble in the exam or that she will feel sick.
I double check they have everything they need ready the night before important days at school.

I have always encouraged reading for enjoyment and try and set aside some time for this all year round and the rule about home work is that any they have must be completed before our holidays in the summer.

Having fun, time to chill but keep focused on homework in bite size pieces.

We have a set time to do homework, always just after breakfast. This way the kids and I have the rest of the day to enjoy some fun outside.