Learning Doesn't Depend on Schools.
A parent guide to holiday learning.
The Paradigm Shift
Learning is an ever-evolving journey, not confined within the four walls of a classroom. While schools have traditionally played a central role in structured education, it's important to recognise that learning is not solely dependent on formal institutions. As information and opportunities become increasingly accessible with the rapid advancements and affordability of technology, learning is no longer solely dependent on being facilitated at formal institutions. Let’s face it, if you have learnt something from a YouTube video, you’d be in the minority. This shift in what learning looks like becomes particularly relevant during the summer holidays when the absence of a structured school environment opens up diverse avenues to transform education.
Cultivating a Love for Learning Beyond School
The Role of Parents
Parents can be just as instrumental in fostering a love for learning in their children as teachers and schools. Personally, the lessons my own parents taught me are still the most relevant and important learnings I use on a daily basis. Yes, there will be reluctance from a ten-year-old to “learn” away from school, but the key is to make the experience an enjoyable and integral part of daily life, not just a school-related task.
Structuring Effective Learning Strategies for Parents
With a little bit of thoughtful planning, engaging kids in learning outside the traditional classroom can fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Think of it like hiding vegetables in spaghetti bolognaise and then covering it in cheese. The kids don’t realise they are eating three daily serves of veggies, yet they are still getting all the benefits. They might even say it tastes great too! Here's a guide for parents to structure learning strategies that are both effective and enjoyable.
Engage kids through relatable learning experiences.
Step 1: Assessing Your Child's Interests and Strengths
Identify Interests: Notice what naturally intrigues your child. Is it science, art, history, or something else?
Recognise Strengths: Pay attention to their strengths. Are they good at hands-on activities, storytelling, or problem-solving?
Step 2: Setting Clear, Achievable Timeframes
Short-Term Task: These could be weekly or monthly, like completing a small project or learning a new skill.
Long-Term Task: These are broader, like developing a strong reading habit or understanding basic scientific concepts by the end of the holidays.
Step 3: Choosing Appropriate Learning Activities
Align with Interests and Goals: Select activities that align with your child’s interests and the timeframe you’ve set.
Variety: Incorporate a mix of educational and recreational activities to keep learning fun and balanced.
Step 4: Creating a Flexible Schedule
Consistency: Set aside a regular time for learning activities, but be flexible enough to adjust when needed.
Balance: Ensure there's a healthy balance between structured learning and free play.
Step 5: Interactive and Engaging Learning
Hands-On Activities: Opt for activities that require active participation or creation, like science experiments or art projects.
Real-World Application: Find ways to apply learning to real-world situations, like calculating change during shopping or identifying plants in a garden.
Step 6: Providing Encouragement and Support
Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate their efforts and achievements, no matter how small.
Guidance, Not Dictation: Guide them through challenges, but allow them to find solutions independently.
Step 7: Review and Reflect
Regular Check-Ins: Have casual conversations about what they’ve learned and enjoyed.
Adapt and Adjust: Be ready to adapt the strategy based on your child’s evolving interests and feedback.
Step 8: Incorporating Technology Wisely
Educational Apps and Websites: Use them as supplementary tools for learning.
Screen Time Management: Monitor and limit screen time to ensure a healthy balance.
Incorporate technology to supplement learning, rather than being the “main course.”
Creative Learning Strategies for Children and Teens.
For Younger Children
Nature's Own Laboratory:
Activity: Backyard Biologist
Instructions: Create a mini journal and take your child on a nature walk in your backyard or a local park. Have them draw and write about different plants, insects, and birds they see.
Learning Outcome: This activity cultivates observation skills, basic biology understanding, and nurtures curiosity about the natural world.
The Magic of Cooking:
Activity: Fractional Baking Fiesta
Instructions: Bake cookies or a cake together, but twist the recipe by asking your child to use fractions (half, quarter) to measure ingredients. Compare the similarities and difference of the mixture’s properties before and after going into the oven. Then hypothesise what may have caused the change.
Learning Outcome: Enhances mathematical understanding, specifically fractions, and introduces basic chemistry through baking.
Art from Around the World:
Activity: Global Art Gallery
Instructions: Each week, pick a different country and explore its art forms. Create crafts based on that style — like Japanese origami, Russian matryoshka doll painting, or Aboriginal dot painting.
Learning Outcome: Encourages cultural appreciation, creativity, and fine motor skills.
Tailor learning experiences to suit individual interests. This will increase engagement and overall enjoyment in the task.
For Teens
Technology and Innovation:
Activity: Build a Solar-Powered Charger for Their Favourite Device
Instructions: Guide your teen to research and assemble a simple solar-powered phone/tablet charger. This could be a preassembled kit or built from scratch depending on the desired level of complexity.
Learning Outcome: Introduces renewable energy concepts, basic electronics, evaluating cost-effective purchasing and encourages problem-solving skills.
Literary Exploration:
Activity: Blogging the Summer
Instructions: Encourage your teen to start a blog documenting their summer experiences or thoughts on a topic they're passionate about.
Learning Outcome: Enhances writing skills, critical thinking, and digital literacy.
History and Culture Through Film:
Activity: Movie Time Capsule
Instructions: Watch historical or culturally significant films, followed by discussions about the themes. For example, watch “The Hunger Games" to discuss, independence, love and the freedom of speech movement. Teens could then record their opinions on the movie through a Vlog or Review.
Learning Outcome: Promotes understanding of historical events and cultural contexts, encourages analytical thinking and discussion skills.
Exploring Entrepreneurship:
Activity: Mini Business Project
Instructions: Guide them to start a small summer business, like a lemonade stand, online craft store, or tutoring/coaching service.
Learning Outcome: Teaches basic business concepts, financial literacy, responsibility, and organisational skills.
Making Learning a Year-Round Adventure
The summer holidays offer a unique opportunity to reinforce that learning is a continuous and enjoyable journey. Using this guide, parents can create a conducive learning environment that not only educates but also excites and engages their kids. Remember, the goal is to instil a love for learning, transforming education into a joyous and continuous journey that extends far beyond the four walls of any classroom.
If this has sparked your interest and you would like to know more, feel free to reach out to us a Not Just A Teacher Education. We are happy to help with bespoke learning opportunities for you and your family.
