5 Ways to Keep Children Learning During the School Holidays

The upcoming school holidays are a wonderful opportunity for relaxation, family time, and a well-deserved break from the usual school routine. However, incorporating fun, engaging, and educational activities into your child’s holiday can help maintain their academic momentum and foster a lifelong love for learning. Here are five practical ways to keep your children learning during the school holidays.

Why should I encourage learning during holidays?

1. To improve learning proficiency.
2. To keep the brain active and engaged.
3. To retain and reinforce previously learned knowledge.
4. To foster a positive attitude towards learning.

Encouraging learning during holidays ensures that children stay curious, engaged, and ready to return to school without a learning lag.

Visit museums

Museums offer an excellent mix of education and entertainment through interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. These experiences help children develop critical thinking, social tolerance, historical empathy, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, they promote kinaesthetic learning, which is learning through "doing"—a powerful tool for retaining knowledge.

Discover more about kinaesthetic learning in our article: The Kinaesthetic Learning Style.

Make reading a daily habit

Reading is an effective way to keep children engaged and learning. Reading aloud helps develop language skills, enhances literacy, sparks imagination, and introduces a sophisticated vocabulary. Encourage children to explore both fiction and non-fiction books. Visiting libraries or bookstores together can make the experience even more exciting.

Create a digitally free environment

Limit screen time to inspire organic learning and exploration. Encourage children to spend time outdoors, engage in imaginative play, and discover the world around them. Even short walks or time in the park can stimulate creativity and learning.

Turn errands into learning opportunities

Everyday tasks, like grocery shopping, can be transformed into educational experiences. For example, ask your child questions about where products come from or their nutritional value. Engaging them in real-world learning fosters curiosity and critical thinking.

Discuss current events

Use news stories or current events as conversation starters to help children develop awareness, empathy, and critical thinking. Encourage them to ask questions, express opinions, and analyze the issues affecting the world around them.

Plan their routine

Establishing a flexible holiday routine can help balance relaxation with productive learning activities. For guidance, check out our article: How To Plan A School Holiday Routine For Kids.

By integrating these strategies into your child’s school holiday, you can promote a love for learning and ensure a smooth transition back to school. If you need extra support, we have online tutors available as well as tutors in Johannesburg, tutors in Pretoria, tutors in Durban, and tutors in Cape Town.