Dear Primary School Parents
Summer time is coming! Some parents have asked us if there are any recommendations for the summer in terms of school work and the big answer is PLAY! Play builds problem solving skills and creativity and develops social interaction. Outdoor play encourages physical fitness; indoor play can develop the fine motor skills.
Reading is also a great way to while away the summer, plunging children into imaginary worlds, developing their literary sensibilities and providing them with access to a fountain of words, promoting grammar, spelling, and the use of description and plot twists. Each year, various books are published that win awards and/or come highly recommended by organisations and associations of “those who know.” I include several websites below which list great titles for the parent keen on shopping for top quality books. Unfortunately, my own language limitations means these websites are only in English – but I encourage families who have a different mother tongue to also search for the excellent literature available in your home countries. (And send me the websites so I can include them next year).
Mathematics is of course not to be forgotten. Outside of having your children calculate money for buying their absolutely must have toys and games, regular, short practices of skills is suggested (particularly if recommended by your child’s teacher). ABIS has signed up to IXL and each child from grade three up has an account. Make sure your child brings home their account details! For younger children, adding and subtracting money, counting groups of items (how many chocolates can we share with our cousins?) is a great, natural and relevant way to promote mathematical skills. There are fun iPad “apps” out there as well, for those who have this technology at home. Ask your child what they liked doing at school.
These are all suggestions and in no way school requirements. I hope our families keen for these ideas enjoy browsing through possible books and “apps” and for those intent on having a summer free of academics – happy playing!
Websites:
http://www.booksellers.co.nz/awards/new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards/2014-new-zealand-post-childrens-book-awards-finalists
http://cbca.org.au/shortlist2013.htm
http://childrensbooks.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=childrensbooks&cdn=parenting&tm=140&f=10&su=p284.13.342.ip_&tt=3&bt=7&bts=7&zu=http%3A//www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb
http://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/genre/pw/Book-Awards.html
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/dec/07/best-childrens-literature-2013
Photo by Kathrine Lee