The holiday season is nearly year! In all the festive rush, it can be easy to forget about holiday learning!
While the seasonal break offers families time to unwind, spend time together, and relax, it important to remember that too much time away from regular learning can affect school motivation and learning momentum, making the return to the classroom in the New Year challenging.
Like many families, you’re probably looking forward to relaxed mornings, no homework stress, and a bit more downtime. But before you dive into your holiday to-do list—decorating the tree, baking festive treats, and planning your travels—don’t forget about one crucial item to add to your list: holiday learning!
Learning over the break doesn’t have to be a chore—it can be fun, engaging, and festive, too!
Here are a few simple ways to weave learning into your family’s holiday routine.
Fun Holiday Learning Ideas for Everyday
Learning is not just a skill for the classroom: playing games, reading, crafting, and writing are all ways keep kids mentally engaged and maintain key skills over the holiday break.
Doing at least one learning-focused activity a day can go the distance to keep developing minds active and prevent a return to school slump. Similar to summer learning loss, students can expereince a decrease in the school skills from an extended break from learning, even over the festive season.
Set small daily learning goals that don’t feel like school work. For example, 15 minutes of reading or 20 minutes of fun educational games each day. Keeping the routine consistent but flexible will help your child stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Unleash the Magic of Holiday Reading
Bedtime stories or reading together as a family helps improve attention span, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. Plus, it’s a cozy activity to do before winding down for the night! To make reading even more engaging, consider discussing the themes or characters in the book to boost comprehension.
Here are some fun and festive book recommendations to get your kids in the holiday spirit.
Ages 6-8:
- The Santa Trap – a funny and adventurous story about a boy who tries to catch Santa in the act.
- The Polar Express – a magical journey that helps children believe in the spirit of Christmas.
- The Lump of Coal – a heartwarming story about a lump of coal who wants to be something more.
Ages 9-12:
- Christmastime in New York City – explore the magic of Christmas in one of the world’s most iconic cities.
- Memoirs of an Elf – follow the story of an elf’s adventures as he learns what makes Christmas special.
- The Shortest Day: Celebrating The Winter Solstice – a beautifully illustrated book about the winter solstice and the science behind it.
Making Holiday Learning Enjoyable
Learning doesn’t have to come from a workbook or homework assignment. There are plenty of easy and enjoyable activities that naturally promote learning.
- Crafting is a wonderful way to encourage attention to detail and following instructions. Get creative with holiday crafts like making decorations, creating cards, or building gingerbread houses! These hands-on activities boost fine motor skills and encourage creativity. For added learning, you can incorporate math by counting materials or measuring ingredients for a project.
- Baking together is also a fun way to practice math! Measuring ingredients, reading recipes, and following step-by-step directions can help reinforce concepts like fractions, addition, and sequencing. Turn your kitchen into a classroom and let your child calculate ingredient portions for a larger batch of cookies!
- Set a timer or create a holiday-themed countdown to make these learning activities part of your daily routine. This will make it easier for your child to anticipate and look forward to them.
Keep reading: Everything you need to know about elementary school tutoring.
High School Holidays: Keeping Up with Schoolwork
Staying on top of schoolwork during the break is crucial for high school students to avoid falling behind. Studying a short amount each day helps teens stay sharp and ready for the new term ahead.
Encourage your teen to:
- Review their notes from the previous semester. Re-reading and summarizing key concepts can improve retention and help them stay ahead.
- Create study notes or flashcards to make exam prep less overwhelming. These tools can help break down large amounts of information into manageable chunks.
- Highlight important concepts or practice problems in subjects they find challenging to stay on top of their schoolwork.
Setting aside just 20-30 minutes a day for review, your teen can return to school feeling confident and prepared for upcoming exams.
Crafty and Creative Holiday Learning for the Whole Family
Holiday breaks are meant for family fun, too! It’s important to balance learning with relaxation and physical activity. Take a break from screens and get outside to enjoy some winter fun. Whether it’s ice skating, hiking, or building a snowman, outdoor activities help keep everyone active, engaged, and energized.
Include learning in family activities by making a game of it. For example, go on a winter scavenger hunt that incorporates math or spelling challenges. These activities promote teamwork while reinforcing educational concepts.
Another way to blend learning and holidays is by gifting learning games like crossword puzzles, sudoku, or trivia books as stocking stuffers. These games are a great way for kids (and adults!) to stay sharp while enjoying some screen-free fun.
You can also incorporate educational apps or websites into your child’s routine. For example, try using apps for math practice, reading comprehension, or even virtual museum tours. These tools provide interactive learning in a way that feels like play.
By integrating short, engaging learning sessions into your routine, your child can stay academically engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Give the Gift of Learning
If you have a child in your life whose academics could use a helping hand, condifer giving the gift of better learning theis holiday season. GradePower Learning locations create customized learning programs that meet students where they are and build thier learning skills and school confidence. Better grades are the best gift of all!
Wishing you and your family a joyful, festive, and educational holiday season!
