As the new school term gets underway, summer often feels like a distant memory. The return to routine can be a shock to the system, and while some kids return happily to the classroom, for others, the transition is more of a challenge.
One of the things parents often worry about in September is how their kids will get back to formal learning. After weeks of late starts and lazy days, will they be ready to focus? Another concern is the ‘summer slide’, where kids’ achievement levels dip during the holidays.
So, what can you do to support your child during the first few weeks of school? Here are three ways to get them off to a flying start as the new term begins.
Make home learning fun
When parents are involved in their education, kids do so much better. And one of the best ways to get involved is by learning at home!
Home learning doesn’t have to be formal or take up lots of time. Did you know that practising maths and English for just a few minutes each day is a great way to help your child to progress?
If your little one is resistant, why not turn to technology? Kids love screentime learning, and apps like Discovery Education’s DoodleLearning – which are designed to make maths and English fun – are ideal.
To help ease kids’ return to school, Discovery Education is giving parents free access to its DoodleLearning apps for one month when they use the code 1_FREE_MONTH.
Covering maths, English, times tables and spelling, the award-winning apps create every child a personalised learning experience tailored to their needs, helping to boost their confidence and ability when used for just minutes each day.
Best of all, they’re filled with thousands of fun, interactive exercises covering the whole curriculum, topping up each child’s knowledge and building positive learning skills.
New research shows that kids who use Doodle ‘little and often’ can double their rate of progression. And a study by University of Bath showed that kids who use DoodleMaths for 20 minutes a week are four times less likely to experience learning loss!*
Parents can sign up here and claim their free month by using the code 1_FREE_MONTH. But hurry: the last day to claim this offer is the 30th of September 2023.
Get back to reading
Reading is so important for kids’ development, and the start of the new school year is a great opportunity to introduce new habits for the whole family.
If you haven’t managed to read much during the holidays, don’t panic! Getting back to books is easier than you think and can help with re-establishing a routine, especially at bedtime.
Why not start by setting aside 10 minutes at the end of each day to read aloud to your child? And if bedtimes are too busy, find a time that works better, like bath time. Audio books are also a great idea. You can listen in the car on the way home from school or while getting ready for bed.
If you have time at the weekend, arrange a visit to the library and encourage your kids to find something they love. Be sure to take an interest in the books they bring home from school and make time to explore these together.
Another great way to switch kids onto reading is through books that link to their favourite movies and TV programmes. It may feel counter-intuitive to read the book after you’ve watched the film, but for kids who are book-resistant, this strategy often works best!
And don’t forget e-books, which are often interactive and great for motivating reluctant readers.
Make screentime positive
If your kids have had too much summer screentime, you’re probably keen to cut back as school begins. But remember that not all screentime is negative, and lots of games and apps can help children to build valuable learning skills.
As the new term gets underway, why not take time to really understand what your kids are doing online and take steps to make positive changes?
For younger children, watching online streaming services is a favourite activity. Switching this passive screentime for something more active can be really beneficial and can switch them onto learning, too.
Look for apps that help kids to learn in a fun and engaging way, while rewarding their effort. Coding is a particularly great activity that kids can get involved with as it can give them a real sense of achievement and builds their skills for the future. The Code Week website has lots of ideas to help you get started!
We hope these tips help your kids to get back to learning with confidence this academic term.
Finally, don’t forget to claim your free month of Doodle. Simply head to the DoodleLearning website and enter the code 1_FREE_MONTH to get started.
Good luck for the new school year, and happy learning!
*For more information on these studies, please visit doodlelearning.com/impact.