A Break from School Doesn't Need to be a Break from Learning

School holidays are great refreshers for children and parents alike. But, just because children are out of school, doesn't mean they can't continue to learn by taking part in fun and educational activities with their families. Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, recommends that parents take advantage of the holidays to spend fun, learning time together.

Robert Satter of the Gilbert Sylvan Learning, explains, “Everyone needs a break away from school work for a while. During the holidays, parents can help to show how the lessons learned in the classroom apply in day-to-day life."

Here are tips from Sylvan Learning concerning how to keep the learning process alive during the Holiday Season:

 Writing -- To help writing skills, encourage your child to start a diary or to write letters together to a grandparent or friend. If you are traveling on a vacation, ask your child to keep a travel journal and record where you stayed and what you did. At the end of every day, talk through the activities with your children and help them create their journals. It not only helps with their writing skills, but creates great family memories.

 Mathematics -- Helping mom or dad with the regular grocery shopping creates opportunities to use math skills - making change, weighing fruits and vegetables, etc. Providing assistance with cooking can also familiarize them with weights and measures, organization and planning, and following a recipe. Perhaps you and your children could make a special dessert for the whole family. Help them pick a recipe, make the list and go shopping together.

 Reading -- Local libraries offer infinite resources for children. Librarians can recommend books appropriate for your child’s reading level and interests, and many libraries offer free children’s programs and clubs. Children also learn by example. If parents are setting time aside to read, it reinforces the fun and enjoyment of reading.

 Internet – Visit www.bookadventure.com, a free Sylvan-created interactive, reading motivation program. Children can create their own book lists from more than 7,000 titles, take short comprehension quizzes and redeem their accumulated points for prizes.

 Analysis and Logic -- Many family games and puzzles are not only fun, but help children to develop and reinforce skills. A simple card game can involve mathematics, analysis and logical thinking. Be sure to select games appropriate for your child's age level.