Elementary

Learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. Are you struggling to find activities to do with your elementary-age student at home? Look no further!

These 31 activities are designed to bring your family together and expand your child’s skills and knowledge. Let’s dive in!

Spend time together

• Ask your child to help make lunch today. They can pick a spot in the park so that you can share lunch together.
• Make tonight a ‘No TV’ night with your family. Ask your child to help select games or stories, and spend some quality time with them.
• Make today National Kids Day! Help your child plan an activity to celebrate it with the entire family.
• Make car trips fun for your child. Play a game and ask him to point out license plates, billboards, and interesting road signs.
• How much does your child know about her family history? On a map trace where your family is from and help her create a family tree.
• Host a back-to-school party for some of your child’s friends.

Spend time outdoors & explore nature

• Take the family out to a water park today. Help your child put on sunscreen and explain the importance of protecting her skin.
• Go to the park and take a nature hike with your child today. Ask him to point out different animals and what they need to survive (i.e. food, shelter etc.)
• Visit a community pool with your child today. Go for a dip to cool off on a hot day.
• Take your child to a petting zoo today. Ask him to draw pictures of the animals that he saw today.
• Teach your child about the importance of preserving nature. Help him plant a tree in the yard and explain how littering harms the environment.
• Teach your child about textures today. Ask her to find objects outdoors that are smooth, shiny, slimy or round.

Build confidence

• Help boost your child’s self-esteem. Take pride in their achievements and accomplishments today and every day.
• On a large piece of construction paper, help your child write her name vertically. Using each letter, help her write words that describe her personality.

Spread the love

• Tell your child that you love her today and every day.
• Help your child write a letter to a grandparent or friend today. Explain the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones.
• Suggest that your child write a poem for a friend today. He can mail it to them for a back to school present.

Boost study & life skills

• Make learning to write letters and numbers fun for your child. Roll Play-Doh or clay into long thin worms and ask them to create letters and numbers.
• School’s on the way! Help your child make a ‘countdown to school’ calendar. Ask her to cross off each day at bedtime.
• Encourage your child to make a ‘to do’ list today. Help him make a list of things that he would like to accomplish tomorrow, then check the items once completed.
• Take your child shopping for school supplies. Ask her to brainstorm a list of things that she will need for school.
• Teach your child about recycling. Show her how to recycle items such as paper, glass and aluminium.
• Visit the library with your child today. Encourage her to borrow books about a different country, and learn about the people, cultures, and customs of the that country.
• Help your child practice her math skills. Ask her to add up all the change in your pocket or purse today.
• Help your child create and design his own phone book . Make a list of his friends names and phone numbers.
• Help your child prepare for school. Talk to him about setting personal goals this year.

Express creativity

• Put on a history play with your child today. Help him learn about important events in world history or even your own family history.
• Help your child make a kite today. He can decorate it and fly it at the park.
• On a rainy day, set up a tent with your child in the living room. He can pretend to be a forest ranger.
• Get your child back in ‘school mode’. Ask him to research a famous painter on the Internet. Get out the paint and let him express himself through art.
• Encourage your child to make journal entries and keep track of her experiences in a new grade this coming school season.

How can you help your student succeed in school and beyond? Add these tried-and-true tips to your toolbox as you navigate this school year.

Be generous with praise

Observe your child carefully and comment on the things that are done well. When you see an area that needs improvement, find a positive way to talk about it with your child.

Encourage “personal best”

Help your child by encouraging him or her to do the best in school and at home. Remember, “personal best” does not mean “perfect”, and learning is not the same as high grades. Children, like adults, need the freedom to make mistakes and to learn from them.

Make learning a priority

Your attitude toward school attendance, education and involvement in the school makes a strong and lasting impression on your child. Show your child, by example, that learning is a priority.

Show interest in school work

• Talk about school each day.
• Ask to see classwork.
• Have your child read aloud to you.
• Read to and with your child from a variety of material in your first language.
• Encourage your child to discuss new ideas and opinions.
• Show appreciation for good efforts.

Offer suggestions for success

• Help your child use the following strategies to improve performance in school:
• Read the assignment when it is given.
• Keep a list of new vocabulary.
• Proofread assignments to catch errors before writing a final draft.
• Review notes before a test.
• Schedule study time
• Set up an area for homework away from noise and distractions.
• Post a family calendar that schedules school project deadlines, after-school activities, mid-term dates, exam periods and report card dates.