Summer is a time for relaxation and fun, but it can also be a valuable opportunity for children to learn and prepare for the upcoming academic year. With the right approach, you can help children make the most of the summer months by providing enriching and educational experiences supporting their academic success.
Whether through private tutoring, summer workshops, or outdoor learning experiences, there are many ways to help children stay engaged and motivated during the summer break. As leading private tutors in Birmingham, we’ll explore some of the best ways to make the most of summer with great learning opportunities that will prepare your child for the upcoming academic year.
Delve Into History With Local Museums
Museums help develop curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills, so taking kids to museums is a great experience. They get to learn about history, art, science, and culture in a fun and interactive way. Plus, it’s a great family activity that creates lasting memories and brings families closer together. Here are some local museums offering insightful experiences of Birmingham’s history. Even if you are not local and take advantage of our online tuition services, they are worth the day trip.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery – This is the largest museum in Birmingham, and it houses a vast collection of art and artefacts from around the world.
Thinktank Science Museum – This interactive museum is located in the city centre and is dedicated to science and technology.
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts – This art museum is located on the University of Birmingham campus and has a collection of paintings, sculptures, and other art objects.
The Black Country Living Museum – This open-air museum is located about 8 miles from Birmingham and showcases life in the West Midlands during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Coventry Transport Museum – This museum is located about 20 miles from Birmingham and has a large collection of cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
Get at One with Nature
Keeping the children entertained for six weeks can be challenging for most families, especially with costs rising for entertainment passes and leisure complexes. However, nature has unlimited opportunities to keep busy and develop children’s education. For example, encourage your children to spend time in nature by taking them on hikes, camping trips, and nature walks or enrolling them in nature-based programs or summer camps. Outdoor learning provides children with hands-on experiences to help them develop a deeper understanding of the natural world.
Additionally, nature-based activities can enhance children’s problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity skills. For instance, it offers basic skills such as map reading and foraging. Likewise, being in nature provides a sense of curiosity and wonder, encouraging children to ask questions and explore their surroundings. It is a great way to get them away from screens whilst improving children’s physical and mental health, promoting overall well-being, which can also help them get ready for a fresh start to the new school year.
Teach Basic Life Skills
There are many things children can learn from home which don’t require books and studying. Many of these things come naturally as adults, but passing these skills on early to your children can help them when they come to run their own households. They can also help build on the knowledge they are already learning through education. For example, whilst shopping, instead of leaving the children at home, consider taking them with you and teaching them how you make conscientious decisions for your purchases.
Teach them how to ensure you are getting the best deal by checking the cost per unit and not the overall price, and this can build on their mental maths knowledge, which can be applied once they are back in the classroom. Alternatively, you could teach them about ethical purchasing, which will help them better understand the world economy and why some products are more ethical than others. You could even explore the environmental impact of purchasing products locally and how this will benefit their future.
Simple skills and lessons like these can help inspire a child’s curiosity and turn dull experiences, like shopping, into insightful experiences which can be fun – making chores and daunting activities into something everyone can enjoy.
Find Some Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering can have numerous benefits for a child’s education. Offering their time to those who need it can help children develop empathy and a sense of social responsibility by exposing them to different social issues and community needs. It can also promote the development of important life skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills will help not only in their educational experience but in the future of their careers.
Additionally, volunteering can provide children with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience in their areas of interest, helping them to explore potential career paths and develop a sense of purpose. Taking time to help others can also help children build social connections and expand their networks, which can be beneficial for future academic and professional opportunities.
Give Them A Head Start On Their Academic Year
Signing children up for private tutoring during the summer holidays can be a great way to prepare them for the upcoming academic year. Private tutoring can provide individualised attention and tailored support to help children develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their studies.
Tutors can help children review and reinforce key concepts from the previous academic year, filling in any gaps in their understanding. They can also provide advanced instruction and practice in areas children may struggle with, giving them a head start on upcoming coursework. In addition, private tutoring can help build children’s confidence and motivation, which can be especially important for children who may be anxious or struggling academically.
Get Help with Achieving Success
If you’re looking for private tutoring or GCSE holiday workshops, consider our great selection of programs. We offer online tutoring while providing lessons from our tuition centre in Birmingham to help students prepare for upcoming coursework and exams. With personalised attention and expert guidance, we can help your child achieve their academic goals and build the confidence and skills they need to succeed. Get in touch today for an initial assessment of your child’s needs.