As the back-to-school countdown begins, the prospect of a return to routine can feel daunting. For many kids, transitioning back to a structured environment can be a challenge. But thankfully, there are lots of ways that parents can get children ready even as they enjoy the end-of-summer fun. Read on to discover some ideas for fun educational games and activities to get kids excited about the new school year ahead!
Learn a little each day
After weeks away from the classroom, parents often worry about summer learning loss. And one of the best ways to counter this is by gradually introducing a little learning each day. There’s lots of evidence that the ‘little and often’ approach works wonders, and apps like Discovery Education’s DoodleMaths and DoodleEnglish are created with this in mind.
Designed to be used for just 10 minutes each day, the award-winning apps revise tricky topics in maths and English, making thema great way to catch up and get ahead. And to help parents get kids ready for the new term , Discovery Education is offering one FREE month of access to DoodleMaths and DoodleEnglish between now and the end of September!
Created by teachers, DoodleLearning eases pupils back into school through fun activities, helping to boost their confidence and ability. Parents can sign up here and claim their free month using the code MONTH_FREE. But hurry…. the last day to claim this offer is the 30th of September 2024!
Back to school role play
Role play is great for kids’ imagination and ‘playing school’ can help children to prepare for September, from the comfort of their own home. It’s also an easy activity to set up outdoors–when the weather allows!
Let your child be the teacher, while you play the student. This role-reversal game can alleviate back to school anxiety, and give your little one a sense of confidence by being in charge.
Why not set up a mini classroom in your home or garden? Your child can create a lesson plan, teach their favourite subject and even set homework for you! This will not only help them to feel excited about September, but give them a sense of ownership over their learning too.
Make screentime educational
As the summer break draws to a close, most parents worry that their kids have spent too much time online. But it’s never too late to introduce positive screentime habits.
There are lots of great digital educational activities that balance passive screentime with active learning. And a great way to make screentime educational, is by getting kids into coding.
Coding is surprisingly easy to master and lots of fun. It combines children’s love of tech with practical, hands-on learning. Kids can design their own apps and computer games and start to master a vital skill for the future! October will see the return of EU Code Week. Check out their website for ideas!
Start listening to podcasts
Another great way to make summer learning fun is by getting kids into podcasts. Boosting listening, vocab and learning skills, podcasts are a gateway to a wide range of learning on topics like science, history, sport and more.
There are lots of great podcasts created especially for children. And because they’re designed to be super accessible, they can turn complex educational subjects into fun, entertaining stories that children will love. BBC Sounds has some great free kids content.
Easy to access on the move, podcasts are the perfect companion for long summer car journeys. Even better, kids can self-direct their listening, without even realising that what they’re actually doing is learning.
We hope these tips will help your little ones get ready for back to school and hit the ground running this September. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
If you are looking for more content and ideas for keeping kids busy over the summer and beyond, don’t forget our fabulous ideas and activities on KiddyCharts around back to school:
Back to School with KiddyCharts
Some help with making getting back to school that little bit easier to deal with.
Free back to school signs to print out today
This is a lovely thing to do with the kids - get them to give you all their favourite things each year, so you have a record of whats going on in their heads from year to year.
Free book covers for back to school and beyond
Covers for those pesky books
Free lunch box notes for your kids #52KindWeeks
Free lunch box notes to remind your kids to be Kind; not that the necessarily need it of course!
Back to school morning routine chart - free printable
A routine chart for the kids and you to help them on their way.
Ready for school checklist: Never forget stuff again! (ish)
Get their stuff ready - don't forget the vaccine (for you), masks, and their hand sanitiser now too!
As well as other ideas off site too:
Back to school from the internet
Here are some more back to school ideas from other sites around the world - we love them all!
School Morning Routine Tips For A Stress-Free School Run
Ideas to help ease the school run.
6 Back-to-School Self-Care Tips for Moms - Get Healthy U
Ideas for back to school to help mum feel a bit better too.
How to ease back to school stress for moms
Some more thoughts for easing back to school stress for mum. It can be tough for us mums/moms too, so let's help there as well.
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Thanks for coming to see us,
Helen
Helen
Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine!Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time.KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10.It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania.Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on.Get in touch TODAY!