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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Letting them have treats for doing their work. Also by trying to educate them in other ways during the summer e.g. taking them to museums.

I think you have to have variety and mix things up. And try to make them them realise that the summer is not just for them. The house will not clean itself!

i make sure my son does his homework before he plays on the ipad. My 8 year old son has just completed his SATS tests and hes had a treat at the end of them for trying his best

We have a great park on our doorstep. We take our backpacks up there with homework and picnic tea in them and scoot over. The kids have a play, bit of football, do their reading and spellings in between and have their wraps and salad up there. It's lovely when the weather's like this!

We have some downtime at the beginning of the holiday (like a week or so, so we might have PJ days, long lay ins and not meet up with friends), but then we get back into routine, like some reading, outdoor activities and meeting up with friends. I also task the children with jobs around the house, for which they can earn money - not a lot - but they have independence and earn money for treats of their choice. E.g. Tidy bedroom - 30p, empty the bin - 20p, walk the dog - 25p, load the dishwasher - 15p. It doesn't cost the earth, but they learn responsibility, and earn money for rewards of their choice. (Oh, and you get some time off!)

Homework is done before or after dinner after some free time and if homework is still waiting to be done then outside play time is cut short.

The promise of an end of term treat!

I believe in consistency too. They obviously get more time to play over the summer but they still read every day and we visit plenty of museums etc so lots of learning opportunities.

trips to interesting places like museums

I like to keep them in some sort of routine, especially meal times. I tend to be a little more lenient with bed times but not too late.

Bribery works well in our house. Pocket money is earned by working hard at school and in their homework (as well as some basic chores eg keeping bedrooms tidy etc). We also promise them money for doing well in exams. It works especially well if they're saving up for something important.

Taking an interest in their school work and what is going on in school as well as making sure they understand the importance of school in general. Then just the normal rules, homework first before play.

Drawing is all my eldest wants to do so that (plus computer time!) gets her motivated. I think the best thing is actually deadlines. They work really well for all my children!!

On nice days i always get the kids out to local parks, walks with our dog or even trips to the beach. A picnic tea is always great fun with all our friends at the local park. I love taking them to Country parks to explore and play, the rangers always have various family days like pond dipping organised and its all free. On miserable days we like to visit friends, have a movie day or get the arts and crafts out. To keep my school age daughter occupied with learning she has literacy and maths games on the computer. I also take both kids to the library to choose books and they get a booklet in the holidays to put a sticker in after completing each book. When the booklet is filled with stickers we get a fun family day out.

I love half terms and holidays i am a teacher so i get to see mine. I want them to have memories so i spend as much time as i can with them and their cousins who they are close friends with. I have lots of craft projects ready for them, they have construction toys so I set competitions to build the biggest tower. We love to bake and have bake off days . We have board game days where we play family games but i limit technology I spend a lot of time seeking out cheaps events to get them out as much as possible like a charity family auction i have lined up, summer fates and open days at the local farm, we go to the park, messy church nature walks. We have water fights where i alway pretend i must not get wet so the kids make it their mission to get me as wet as possible. We do have the odd movie day with pop corn and movies. The library is a great place and have all sorts of events like the book trail art galleries have events too.

It's less about motivating and more about setting up a routine- if the DC know that when they get home it's homework first and then they can go play, then it's not ever something that needs to be questioned or bartered.

Having said that, there's nothing like a promise of ice cream and a kickabout in the park after dinner to help persuade young minds to concentrate on fractions ;)

We do play, dinner. bath then homework and reading last before bed. This is the routine for all seasons. Nothing changes in summer.

homework done as soon as they get home...sometimes that's outside on the trampoline..as long as it gets done and out of the way and then they can play

I buy my 3 DDs a selection of reading books at the beginning of the summer hols and also read them myself so we can discuss all together. I try and encourage them to get out as much as possible to avoid them sitting in on screens all day but it is a battle!

Give them the chance to earn bonuses that can be cashed in on holiday. Like an ice cream or double pocket money weeks for hitting targets

let them be free in the summer holidays. We tend to keep some learning activities for Sunday AM on the cards but while she is still young, enjoy the summer.

DS is studying for exams at the moment so is more focused.

Offering rewards in exchange for homework being done - e.g, an hour's homework = a certain amount of time outside playing.

lots of variety - and making sure we get lots

I'm finding the summer months easier to keep DS's motivation and attention. We can go outside so much more which I find increases his energy. Also, if its really hot, we can't be outside all day anyway, so short bursts of inside learning are a good excuse to get out of the sun.