10 reasons a summer school is good for your children
Many parents find themselves struggling during the summer. The children may be enjoying a summer break, but chances are you do not have the same privilege. If you are wondering how to occupy your child this summer, take a look at the following summer school benefits.
Avoiding the autumn slump
You spend time and effort making sure your child has the best education possible. Throughout the school year they accumulate a mass of knowledge, develop vital skills and grow used to a daily routine. Then come the summer holidays.
After up to six weeks away from the classroom, returning to school can be an ordeal. It may take weeks for students to ease back into education, losing valuable time and hindering their development. There is no need for a gruelling routine over the summer (like the rest of us, children need time to unwind), but something to bridge the summer gap is a good idea. Keeping their young minds active will pay off in the autumn.
Better than babysitting
It’s great to spend quality time with your kids, but keeping a full time job and finding childcare is a stressful juggling act. Whereas babysitting provides a short term fix, summer schools offer continuity for the child. They are also run by experienced staff who know how to make the programme fun while keeping learners occupied.
Pursuing a specific interest
If your child is drawn to science or has a penchant for painting, the summer is their chance to explore their interests. Many subjects are not covered in detail throughout the school year, so the summer offers a chance to pursue subjects in more detail. Following hobbies and interests means your child will take control of their learning and have fun in the process.
Getting ahead
Most children struggle in at least some subjects. The holidays are an opportunity to catch up on basic skills ready for the following school year. Many summer schools offer one to one tuition, which is often not available in mainstream schools.
Outdoor exercise
The British summer is brief, so make the most of the fleeting fine weather. Choosing a summer school with a varied sports program will keep your child healthy and active, prising them away from the TV or computer screen.
Social development
At summer school your child will interact with children of different cultures and backgrounds. Team work is a major part of most programmes, aiming to improve tolerance and social skills. Group bonding and team exercises will provide your child with a strong network of friends and a sense of group identity.
Learning languages
Children have an amazing aptitude for language learning, so a language summer school will capitalise on this potential. Skola English schools help learners improve their language skills, unlocking better futures for their students.
Travel and culture
Some schools include excursions in their summer programmes. Safety is the top priority, but with skilled and experienced staff your child could travel overseas to experience different cultures and attractions. This may go alongside a specific interest or learning a foreign language. Children absorb their surroundings. In an international summer school UK students can put skills from the classroom into practice.
Alternative teaching styles
Each student learns differently. If your child learns best from a hands-on approach, practical skills in a summer school could boost their performance in the classroom. Since summer schools are more flexible in their approach, students can try new ways of learning. Smaller class sizes mean courses are tailored to whatever works best for the learner.
Boosting confidence
The first day of summer school can be daunting. Your child will meet new people in an unfamiliar environment. However, summer school employees know how to make students feel at home and ease this transition. The long term benefit of what at first seems scary is a big boost to your child’s confidence.
Resource Box:
A list of the benefits of attending a summer school.
An overview of summer schools, from academic and SEN to arts and adventure camps.
Summer schools are suggested for children with behaviour difficulties.
