As a parent, you want your child to have a fun and exciting summer holiday that also complements the new academic year. With so many summer class options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your child. In this blog post, we’ll provide guidance on how to select the perfect summer classes for your child’s learning and development.
Understanding your child’s needs and interests
Before choosing summer classes, it’s key to understand your child’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Observe what hobbies and activities she/he shows the most amount of keenness in. Ask school teachers for input. This will help you identify areas where they need extra support or a new skill that she/he is keen on learning. For example, if your child loves reading, consider summer classes that focus on literature or creative writing. This will help in many ways–right from boosting imagination, to driving a sense of curiosity about sentence structure and communication, writing is an underrated skill worth honing. Always ask your child, first.
1. Reflect on academic performance
Summer classes are a novel way to reinforce subjects that are challenging during the school year. That’s not to say –use this time as extra classes for your child. If your child is doing fine academically, as per his grade, and they’re not in the 95% percentile of the class – give them a well-earned break. Each year doesn’t have to be about scoring the highest marks. Knowing what your child can and cannot do, and where to draw the line is a key part of parenting. More often than not, teachers –at the end of the school term – will recommend classes that you should automatically consider during the holidays. They will also provide guidance on what kind of activities to engage in to keep attuned to next year’s academic requirements in terms of cognitive development.
2. Assess social skills
These classes provide a more relaxed environment where kids can develop social skills because kids end up meeting children of the same age from other schools, and different parts of the city. If your child is shy or needs practice working in teams, choose programs that focus on collaboration and social interaction. These could be theatre, activity based programs, or other personality development classes.
3. Researching summer class options
Make a list of classes that match your child’s interests and needs. In case you have missed the boat on this year’s schedule, ensure you set reminders and can investigate in time for next year. At DPS Warangal, we actively offer a variety of classes for kids to enjoy. Whether it’s learning how to swim at our state of the art school, or drama –we have it all. Our summer classes are open to all students, from all schools in the region. These summer camps were created with the aim of helping kids with their holidays and using some of their time away from screens to learn a new sport, skill or hone an existing skill.
What are the different types of summer classes?
Different schools or companies organise special classes –be it offline or online –with the idea of providing engagement, learning and new skills for kids during their holidays. It’s not necessary that you do the same class each year, or even study during the break.
1. Academic enrichment programs
These classes focus on subjects like maths, science, and reading and are designed to challenge students and keep their minds sharp over the break. This is particularly helpful for gifted children who may want to advance their own materials, and learn further. Choose academic programs in consultation with your child’s teachers, and child –to avoid unnecessary pressure or a feeling of overwhelm.
2. Creative arts workshops
For the budding artist or musician, creative arts workshops can provide an outlet for self-expression and the development of artistic skills. These opportunities often spur their own imagination, with a sense of competition. When special art schools put on musicals, or other end of the course programs, kids tend to shine and develop a new found confidence.
3. Outdoor and adventure camps
If your child thrives in the great outdoors, consider camps that offer activities like hiking, camping, and environmental education. These don’t have to be strenuous. In fact many trekking clubs offer beginner friendly camps, which last only for a few hours. It’s a good way to introduce your child to the wonders of nature, with other kids.
4. Technology and coding camps
Tech camps can give kids a head start on understanding and creating within the world of computers and coding. A lot of kids each year try their hand at coding –while it’s a good skill to try and learn at any time, holidays offer a short term course which can help your child dip their toes into the world of code. Bespoke courses often have teachers who can teach kids from ages of 6-11 and help them understand the basics, and take them forward to more advanced levels as a continuation of their learning in the school year, too.
5. Sports and physical activity programs
Active children might enjoy summer classes that focus on physical skills, teamwork, and healthy competition. At DPS Warangal, kids can choose from swimming, skating, basketball and many other programs which will not only help them focus on sport but also make friends from other schools. This exposure ensures they meet a wide range of people, across age groups.
Look for programs with experienced instructors, engaging curriculum, and a suitable class size. ensure the program prioritises safety and supervision, especially for younger children. Lastly but very important: how often are the classes conducted and how will your child get to and from them. While it’s important to help them find new hobbies and make friends, being able to carve out time to ferry them from classes is also a consideration. Don’t end up overscheduling classes with the idea of keeping them busy. Summer holidays are a much needed break for your little ones – and giving them some time to relax is necessary.
What to keep in mind before selecting classes for summer
When making the final decision, weigh options carefully, considering factors like cost, scheduling, and logistics. Prioritize your child’s unique needs and interests, and trust your instincts as a parent.
1. Setting goals and priorities
Set realistic goals and priorities for your child’s summer learning experience. Consider building new skills or knowledge, enhancing existing strengths, or developing social skills and friendships. Be clear about what you want your child to achieve, and choose classes that align with those goals.
2. The importance of balance
While it’s tempting to fill every week with structured activities, remember that your little champ also needs downtime. Therefore you need to be cautious against overscheduling and making a mess of what is meant to be a time to relax and unwind.
3. Incorporating family time
Summer is also family time. Ensure that the classes you choose allow for family trips, lazy days at home, and spontaneous fun. Do you remember your own summer holidays? What special family rituals did you have –did you sit together as a family and enjoy some choice summer fruits such as mangoes, or watermelons? Did you go out and swim during the summer months as a way to cool off? Create your own routines and rituals to mark this time of the year, and create special memories.
What are some practical considerations while choosing summer classes
While it may seem tempting to sign up for every other class, being able to strike a balance between the right amount of busy and overwhelming schedules is crucial. After all, you want to give your child time to relax, play and enjoy their time off from scheduling and strict time management. When evaluating summer class programs, consider the following factors:
qualifications and experience of instructors
curriculum and teaching methods
class size and student-to-teacher ratio
safety and supervision
4. Location and transportation
Consider how far you’re willing to travel for a program and how it will sit with your existing commute and schedule, if you’re a working parent. Proximity may be important, especially if you’re juggling work and multiple schedules. More so, if you have two kids and they happen to be interested in things which are on two ends of the city.
5. Schedule and timing
Before saying yes to the most exciting looking classes, look at the duration and timing of classes. Some programs offer half-day sessions, while others might last for several weeks. Carefully consider how that might sit with your travel plans, and other plans you may have for the summer. As a parent, your spouse may have also thought of how they want to spend time. Ensure you consult everyone at home, before making long commitments on time for the holiday season.
6. Cost and budget
Decide on your budget beforehand and look for programs that offer good value for your investment. While it’s easy to sign up for something that your child is eager about –it may come as an expensive trial since kids also tend to be very fickle. Recall the time you asked your parents to buy you something expensive, only to ditch it after a few weeks!
7. Researching and gathering recommendations
Speak to other parents, teachers, and community members about their experiences with different summer programs. This is particularly helpful if you speak with older parents, with kids who have tried some programs and you see your child leaning in a similar direction. It could be acting, elocution or other co-curricular classes that others may have tried. It will also give you a fair understanding of how your kid might react to the teachers, and how much time will it ultimately take.
How to help your child make the most of summer
Once you’ve made a decision about the classes, after discussing it with your child, it’s also important to prepare your little bundle of joy for a positive experience.A new environment, new people, new schedules, and missing their old friends —are all recipes for some major temper tantrums. If you’re paying for classes, or just choosing free ones, you’re still committing to a certain amount of time. It’s necessary to help your child make the most of this, help them anticipate some of the experiences he/she might have along the way, and be mentally prepared.
1. Set realistic expectations
Talk to your child about what they can expect from the class. Discuss the new skills he/she might learn and the types of activities they are going to participate in. Most classes start much later in the day, rather than early in the morning. This automatically helps with not stressing kids with the thought of waking up early –much like a regular school day. Pack a different type of snack. Focus on summer fruits, and other seasonal items they might enjoy.
2. Encourage open-mindedness
There is a high chance that given their new experiences, he/she might get upset, offended, or even not want to attend the class for the fear of failure or ridicule. This should be a time for them to look forward to and enjoy rather than a source of stress. To motivate your son/daughter, help them see that they are going to have some new experiences, and to get used to the idea of making new friends. Help your child recognise that this is a chance to step out of their comfort zone.
- Stay engaged
If you’re not staying for the duration of their classes, ask how their day was when they have calmed down and relaxed into the home environment. Hopefully, this is something that’s consistent as part of their school day, too. Asking them about what happened, or asking to recount things at the time of pick up might be overwhelming since a lot of experiences are new. Allow them the gift of time and space and to let them tell you how things are progressing while maintaining an active interest.
Choosing the right summer classes for your child is about more than just keeping them busy; it’s about nurturing their curiosity and helping them grow. By understanding your child’s interests, considering various program types, and preparing them for a new adventure, you can ensure that their summer is both fun and fruitful.
By knowing your child’s interests, looking at different types of programs, and readying them for a new adventure, you can make their summer fun as well as productive. DPS Warangal proactively engages the child during the summer vacation by providing an impressive range of summer classes to all students, furthering its agenda of overall development beyond the academic year. These classes—from swimming and sports to creative arts and drama—offer a structured, safe, and fun space in which a child can acquire new skills, foster greater socialization with other children from other schools, and work on their interests, all while having a well-earned respite from the demanding academic timetable. You alone understand your child best, and with careful deliberation, you can choose summer school that will not only amuse but also teach and inspire. To a summer of fun, learning, and discovery for your young scholar.