Play + Learn

Encourage your child to bring stories to life through dramatic play. Whether they're acting out a favourite book, presenting a puppet show or creating their own imaginative tales, this activity enhances language skills, creativity, and even social interaction. You could even get them to create an invitation or design their own tickets to invite family members to attend their performance. Don't forget the round of applause at the end! 

As the school bells ring for the last time before summer holidays, you might be wondering how to keep the young minds in your household engaged and learning during the sunny days ahead. Hear are just a few ideas that you could include on your holidays to help the Junior kids busy, learning and having some fun over the summer!

Storytime Adventures

Set sail on a literary voyage with your child by creating a personalised summer reading list. Visit your local library to discover captivating books that match your child's interests. Create a cozy reading space at home and let the imagination take flight. Don't forget to discuss the stories afterward to enhance comprehension skills.

DIY Storybook

Have your child write and illustrate their own story. Staple or bind the pages together to create their very own book. This not only reinforces literacy skills but also boosts confidence in writing.

Games, games, games!

Dust off those board games and embark on a family game night adventure. Games like Scrabble, Monopoly, Snakes & Ladders, Memory, Guess Who, Connect Four and Uno are not only lots of fun but also sneak in literacy and numeracy skills. Challenge your child to read cards, count moves, and strategise their way to victory!

Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

Take the learning outdoors with a scavenger hunt! Create a list of items for your child to find in the backyard or local park. Encourage them to read the list independently, count their discoveries, and maybe jot down a short description. You could even make them a map that they need to follow to find certain things in the backyard. Or ask your child to design a map for you! It's a fantastic way to blend literacy and numeracy with the joy of exploration.

Dramatic Play Literacy

Encourage your child to bring stories to life through dramatic play. Whether they're acting out a favourite book, presenting a puppet show or creating their own imaginative tales, this activity enhances language skills, creativity, and even social interaction. You could even get them to create an invitation or design their own tickets to invite family members to attend their performance. Don't forget the round of applause at the end! 

Math and Literacy Bingo

Create your own bingo cards with simple math problems or sight words. Use small toys or buttons as markers. Call out math problems or words, and your child can mark the correct answer on their bingo card. It adds an element of competition while reinforcing essential skills.

Math in the Kitchen

Turn your kitchen into a math playground! Involve your children in talking about the recipe/ingredients using terms like more, less, how many, how much, measuring ingredients, counting pieces, exploring shapes, estimating, sharing out food (e.g. “two for me and two for you”. Ask, “How many altogether?”) and setting the table. Not only does this make learning math delicious, but it also instils a love for hands-on activities.

Remember, the key is to make learning enjoyable. By incorporating these activities into your holiday routine, you'll be nurturing your child's literacy and numeracy skills while having fun at the same time!

Jennie McDonald

Junior Sub School Leader