THE summer doesn’t have to be a break for your child’s brain.

Learning through play, or while on visits, is a powerful educational tool. Think about any activities and trips you do as having learning potential.

From practising foreign language skills abroad to helping their numeracy skills by converting money or simply calculating costs of buying ice creams or treats. Every holiday experience has learning potential.

If your child is moving from primary to secondary school, it’ll be one of the biggest educational changes they’ll ever experience. You can help by familiarising yourself with the school, its policies and its rules. School websites contain a wealth of information which means you can educate yourself and your child about what to expect before September.

Look out also for opportunities to be involved in your child’s education, eg as a parent governor. Take every opportunity to make the school the one you want for your child, rather than moan that the school’s not quite right.

If, like the majority, you’re a working parent, the summer can be long, hard and expensive. Rather than think about the cost, think about the gains your child will have for each and every activity they do, from free ones, like identifying plants and animals they see via the internet, to starting collections of objects – to planned activities run by groups.

Find out what they now know that’s new to them (or you), what skills they’ve learned and record them in a diary. Oh, and keep a secret countdown chart so you know when they go back and you can cheer and regain some of your life when normality returns for another few months, because It’ll soon be Christmas!

  • James D Williams is lecturer in science education, Sussex School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex.