Family matters - how to avoid learning loss
It's known as the 'summer slide'. For six weeks young minds are more focused on having fun than what they've learned in the classroom.
For some it can mean a loss of knowledge and academic skills with children forgetting what they have previously been taught by the time the start of the autumn term rolls around in September.
As the new school year gets under way, it can lead to a dip in performance with youngsters struggling to get back on track with their learning.
It seems mathematics and English are the hardest hit with some pupils suffering a setback in their numeracy, reading and writing skills after six weeks away from the classroom.
One council in South Yorkshire has even gone as far as to reveal it's considering reducing its summer break to four weeks and four days in a bid to combat this 'learning loss'.
Barnsley Council would be the first in the country to make these changes to its academic year if they are approved.
But there are many ways for parents to help their children avoid this 'summer slide' while still allowing them to enjoy the time away from the books that is also very important for young minds.
Reading is a simple way of helping children to continue learning across all subjects during August.
Michelle Searle, from Beanstalk the children's literacy charity, said: "The summer holidays are a great time for children, but it often means that they forget all the great things they've learnt over the school year.
"As parents, it's easy for us to fix this with just 10 minutes of reading a day. Research shows that by reading with your child for just 10 minutes a day, you can make a big difference to their reading ability and ensure that they start back at school ready to succeed.
"In fact, just reading a little bit each day can make a bigger difference than for a longer period twice a week.
"So – during the summer holidays - help ensure your child is able to succeed in their next school year by sharing 10 minutes with a book in the sun."
Hundreds of thousands of children take part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge which aims to help children keep up their reading skills and confidence every year.
Youngster aged four to 11 are challenged to read six books during the summer holiday and they can be whatever they like - fiction, fact books, joke books, picture books and audio books - just as long as they are borrowed from the library.
Children receive special rewards each time they finish a book and there's a certificate for everyone who completes the Challenge.
The theme for this year's scheme, run in partnership between The Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians, is Animal Agents, illustrated by the UK's best-selling children's illustrator Tony Ross.
Last year's Challenge, which had a Roald Dahl theme, saw 755,208 children participating across the UK.
If your children choose to take part then make sure they set aside some regular time for reading their chosen books. Encourage them to read more than the required six by setting your own rewards for anything extra they complete.
As well as reading, writing projects can also be a good way for youngsters to practice their literacy skills.
They could keep a diary of their holiday and jot down what they get up to each day or send postcards to relatives such as grandparents keeping them updating on their break.
Another option would be to team up with other parents to set up pen pals for the summer and have youngsters to write letters back and forth to practice their reading and writing skills.
While writing a play based on their favourite book and then acting it out can be a good 'rainy day' activity. It will help them to understand the characters and story lines by bringing them to life.
Help them keep up their mathematics skills by incorporating it into your daily activities whether it's adding up a shopping bill, weighing and measuring out ingredients for cooking or baking or playing games like chess or cards.
If your children are addicted to tablet or computer games, then find some that are educational and encourage them to spend a certain amount of time playing these a week. E-books are also a good compromise if you're struggling to tear them away from technology.
Plan some days out to museums and cultural sites to make learning fun and take advantage of trails and audio guides which will make the experience more interactive.
Many museums and libraries run summer activity programmes which are either free or available for a small cost. These can cover a wide range of subjects and skills such as crafts to keep their brains ticking over.
Trips to the park or local nature reserve will also help their discovery of the world around them. Talk about flowers, birds or insects you see along the way.
If you don't know what they are then take pictures and encourage your children to look them up in books or online when they get home.
While summer schedules can get busy, there are many ways to incorporate learning without it seeming a chore and help your children be better prepared for the new school year.
*For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge see www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
