Holiday Learning Tips for the Whole Family
Does Your Holiday To-Do List include Learning?
Like most families, you and the kids are probably looking forward to a break from the normal hectic routine. No rushed mornings, no after-school homework battles, and lots of downtime spent with loved ones. While your holiday to-do list may include baking, decorating, and travelling, there’s one to-do item that shouldn’t be overlooked this holiday season: learning.
Scheduling holiday learning keeps kids on track academically, maintains school habits, and helps make the transition back-to-school post-holiday that much smoother.
But learning over the holidays doesn’t have to be boring! Keeping the cognitive wheels turning over the holiday break can be as simple as playing board games, reading books, or writing thank you cards.
Encourage kids to do at least one learning activity a day over the holidays to help them stay on track academically.
Reading a book every night before bed can help sustain their attention, develop their vocabulary and comprehension skills.
For a great holiday read, check out some of these fun and festive books, ages 6-8:
And for holiday books, ages 9-12, check these out of your local library:
Holiday Learning Fun
There are plenty of holiday learning activities that are easy to incorporate during the break that can be fun for you and your child.
Crafts are a great way to spend time with your family and can give you the opportunity to help with your child’s attention to detail and ability to follow instructions.
Baking is another great way to incorporate these skills, as well as sharpen their math abilities. Ask your kids to help you out by measuring ingredients and reading recipes to help them practice regular school activities.
High School Holidays
If the kids are in high school, have them practice their regular school subjects. Doing a little bit of actual schoolwork each day on the break keeps teens up to speed and ready to hit the ground running in the new year—after all, exams aren’t that far off!
Encourage your high schoolers to read over their schoolwork, and create study notes to elevate their learning over the holidays. Reading over notes and highlighting keywords will help them retain what they’ve learned over the school year.
These types of activities along with holiday family time, will ensure a productive break for all.
Fun for the Family
Make sure you don’t lose sight of the fun activities that will give the whole family a break from the screen as well.
Step away from the TV and computer by heading outside and having fun in the snow. Go ice skating, tobogganing or any other fun winter activities you can think of!
Including physical activity in your child’s day is also important to keep them sharp over the entire festive season.
Happy Holidays!
For an extra learning boost, include crossword puzzles, sudoku books, or other learning games as stocking stuffers for the holidays!
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