Schools and nurseries are out!!!
Normally at this time of year our children would all be looking forward to a six-week break, and we would we worrying how we entertain them for those weeks. The reality is for a lot of parents we have been doing this for 18 weeks now.
This year as parents we may
- not be sure whether summer clubs or camps, usually booked back at Easter, will be running? Essex have now launched 21,600 places and counting across Essex – https://www.activeessex.org/summer-holiday-activity-clubs-…/
- also be concerned about the learning that their children have already missed?
- worry that the activities and days out available to families are significantly reduced at present. Many families look forward to Play in the Park days (this is now back on, https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/play-in-the-park/) or the 3 Foot Festival – which will be back in 2021.
For children:
- the uncertainty about what will be happening in September may well impact on their enjoyment of their summer holidays.
- the playdates with friends or trips to grandparents may well have stopped or reduced
For parents, there are a number of headaches:
How to entertain your youngsters?
What are the options open to you?
How will you cope as a working parent without the usual support?
We have support available:
Surviving the Summer Holidays – Monday 27th July –10-12:
Book by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/ybmd5jdt
With a number of ideas to help and emphasis that it’s ok for your kids to be bored sometimes, in fact, it can be very good for them to use their imaginations and find things to do themselves. Setting routines at home and hence expectations can be really valuable – and there are plenty of things to do to keep learning.
As long as it is part of a mix of other activities, screen time is fine too. Some ideas to try are – Draw with Rob, a brilliant watch on Youtube, or youngsters can join The Silly Squad at Essex Libraries’ https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/.
Children generally lose about 15% of what they have learnt during the summer holidays,
- so it is really important to add in some activities which use their brains such as map reading, baking or craft activities. Make up some themed activity packs together that they can use while you are working – containing a book, jigsaw, games and film, for example. Planning is key, says tutor Gillian: “A big treat at the end of the holiday based on their interests is also a great idea.”
For those with work headaches, it may be an idea to talk to your employer about flexible working or buddy up with other families re childcare. Essex County Council is investing heavily in supporting working parents, with free Summer Holiday Clubs programmes across the county during the six-week holiday. The holiday activity clubs, developed by ECC and Active Essex, “aim to encourage children to be physically active and socially connected while supporting parents who are seeking to return to work over the coming weeks, by providing some safe and localised childcare options”. The Council says clubs will be run by qualified coaches and partner organisations. All of the children attending will also receive a nutritious packed lunch. You can book via this Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/essexworkingparents/
And importantly, make sure you give yourself a break too.
We have Mindfulness and wellbeing sessions throughout August as well as support for co-parenting families, and a whole menu of courses coming in September
Book by clicking here: https://aclessex.com/community-family-learning-online/
Summer Programme 2020 is here!
At Family Learning, we are offering weekly challenges and activities for families throughout the holiday, ranging from crafts to maths games, from mindfulness to managing change, so check out the menu here: https://aclessex.com/family-learning-summer-programme-2020/
Every Monday, we will be running a Facebook Live with weekly challenges.
Make sure to join ACL Essex Community & Family Learning group to participate!
Join us for a 6-week programme of FREE activities,
that you can enjoy with your whole family,
visit: https://aclessex.com/family-learning-summer-programme-2020/
If you have any ideas to share or want to keep up to date with the latest workshops/courses/or support then visit our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/552150055488898/
To book on these or any of the workshops/courses we have on offer then click the link: https://aclessex.com/community-family-learning-online/.
Please feel free to share with any resident of Essex.