The holiday break is an opportunity for your kids to relax and have some fun. However, this doesn't mean that learning stops. More often than not, your children are going to have homework to complete. Even if they don't, though, it's smart to encourage the kids to keep learning during this time. Here are a few ways you can help your kids stay productive during the holidays:
Set a study time
If you know your kids have homework to do, designate specific times during the day for homework and studying. Some of your kids might not have homework, which could be distracting for the ones sitting at the table. To keep things fair and minimize diversions, designate the hour as quiet time and have the kids without homework sit and read a book. This way, everyone is being productive in one way or another - some of the kids are getting homework done while others are keeping their cognitive skills sharp through reading.
Carefully choose the time of day for studying. Your children might be more productive in the evening or early morning so try to set aside an hour each day when they're most focused. In addition, avoid times when the family tends to be the most busy or active. This way, you don't have to worry about switching the study session to later and can avoid interruptions.
Use technology
Your kids probably have certain video games they like to play. Well, instead of letting them spend hours playing mindless games, give them educational programs to work with. The challenges and activities in games specifically made for learning will keep the kids interested while also teaching them something new. Now you don't have to feel as guilty about them spending so much time on the computer because they're working on their math or language skills.
Keep your kids productive by showing them educational video and computer games.
Go to the library
The library has so much to offer your family, so take advantage of its resources - the best part is everything is free! Make a plan to stop by the library once a week. Have your kids choose some books to check out and see if there are any programs going on that they might enjoy. Encourage them to choose different types of book than normal, as well. For example, if your children normally prefer fiction, find a nonfiction book you can all read together. This will expand their knowledge and open them to a new book genre.
Do a home experiment
If you really want to get your kids engaged over break and keep them productive, do a home experiment. These activities are fun and interesting, and you'll enjoy doing them with your children. Ask your kids what they've been learning about in science. You can use this information to choose your experiment. For example, if they're learning about chemical reactions, make a volcano using Play-Doh, vinegar and baking soda. As you're creating the project, ask your children to make hypotheses and explain how chemical reactions work. Learning the information this way will make them more likely to remember it than if they'd just been reading a textbook.