Learning at St Columba's

School Holiday Ideas

As the school year draws to a close and Christmas approaches, this season often brings a mix of excitement and exhaustion. The joy of festive celebrations and spending time with loved ones is balanced against the whirlwind of end-of-year commitments and the business of daily routines. Before we know it, the holidays will pass, and our young people will embark on a new school year, where they will face new opportunities and challenges as they grow older and take on greater responsibilities.

This holiday break is a valuable time to pause, reset, and reconnect as a family. It is a chance to slow down, step away from tightly packed schedules, and enjoy the freedom to relax and recharge. Whether it is lazy mornings, unplanned afternoons, or the opportunity to explore the outdoors, this downtime is crucial for your child’s wellbeing and development.

However, for parents wondering how to keep their child engaged during the break, there are plenty of creative, enjoyable activities that can support their learning without feeling like schoolwork. If you are looking for ideas to inspire curiosity and maintain their love of learning while spending quality time together, here are some simple suggestions:

Simple and Enjoyable Activities to Stay Connected

• Read Together
  • Dive into a novel as a family or enjoy shared reading sessions. Listening to your child read or reading to them helps foster a lifelong love of books. Storyline Online free online story selection
• Cook Up Some Fun
  • Turn meal prep into a learning opportunity. Discuss measurements, use kitchen scales, and explore temperatures when using the oven—making math part of your daily routine. Donna Hay Basics to Brilliance Kids
• Explore the Weather
  • Use the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) app to check forecasts, temperatures, UV indexes, and tides. This can lead to discussions about averages, differences, and other data-driven math skills.
• Get Creative with Art
  • Visit websites like TinkerLab for exciting, hands-on art projects. Adopt a relaxed approach and let your child experiment and explore their creativity.

These activities not only keep your child engaged but also nurture curiosity, creativity, and essential skills in a fun, meaningful way. Enjoy the summer holiday, and we look forward to seeing everyone back in 2025.

Nicole Spence

PYP Coordinator