As the end of the school year here at Beachborough Prep has drawn to a close, we hope that our families have some wonderful plans for how they are going to spend the next seven weeks with their children.
Summer is a time for sunshine, play and well-deserved rest but we know that from experience, it is also a golden opportunity to keep young minds active and curious. As the summer holidays stretch on, children can become uninterested in the academic progress they made during the school year. However, with the right mix of learning, summer can absolutely become a season of growth and discovery for children of all ages.
Here’s a brief guide to enriching summer activities based on our core subjects here at Beachborough Prep, that will help your children return to school, confident, refreshed and ready to find their greatness!
Reading : Fuelling Imagination and Literacy
- Create a summer reading challenge with rewards for each book completed. Both Brackley and Buckingham libraries are participating in the Summer Reading Challenge, ‘Story Garden.’ All you need to do is visit your local library and sign up. We’d love to hear how your child got on, when they return to school.
- Start a family book club and discuss stories together.
- Explore audiobooks during travel times. Have you heard of the ‘Borrowbox’ App? Connect to your local library and borrow audiobooks via your device – perfect for long journeys in the car.
- Try and choose a mix of fiction and non-fiction as well as poetry to broaden your child’s horizons.
Writing : Keeping a Summer Diary
- Keeping a diary of the summer holidays is a fun way to get your child writing about what they have been up to whilst practising their spelling and punctuation.
- Send postcards to friends and relatives when you are away.
- Start a scrap book using photos of what you have been up to…one for the keepsake box!
Maths : Make Numbers Meaningful
- Cooking and baking are great ways of incorporating maths into everyday tasks, using weights and measurements and tracking progress if things don’t go according to plan!
- Organise a local bake sale and calculate profits.
- Play board games that involve counting or using pretend money, such as Monopoly, bringing in real-word experiences to help your child understand value.
- Continue to use the White Rose Maths app for short, interactive practice sessions – these are particularly great for when you are on the go.
Science : Get Close to Nature
- Plant your own seeds and track their growth. Fast-maturing vegetables such as Radishes, Lettuce and Spinach are perfect for quick results.
- Go on nature walks and identify insects, birds and trees.
- Build a bug house and see what creatures you can encourage into your garden.
- Try easy science experiments at home such as making your own slime or growing crystals.
Art : Nurture Imagination
- Learn a new art such as knitting or origami. Some children may have picked up some tips from attending our wraparound care provision with Mrs Edwards!
- Learn a dance routine and put on a show for, or with, family and friends.
- Use art for mindfulness such as rock painting – our Wellbeing Team have implemented this across the school several times now and we’ve seen the children really enjoy this activity.
- Explore different music genres and have a game of ‘guess the instrument’ when listening to your favourite songs.
Life skills and independence : Preparing to Return to the Classroom
- Summer is the perfect, low-pressurised time to practice essential skills with your child such as getting changed into or out of school uniform and into or out of PE kit or even organising their own backpacks, ready for their return to school.
- Giving your child simple chores or responsibilities over the summer is a great way of building your child’s confidence and boosting their independence.
- Encourage your child to wear a watch over the holidays – practising time management can encourage responsibility, especially for those joining the Manor House in Form V or above!
If you would like to speak directly to our teaching team or visit the school for a personalised tour of Beachborough Prep, please do not hesitate to contact our Admissions Team on admissions@beachborough.com
