There is just one more month left of school until the summer break, and with it exams, assessments, tests, reports etc etc.

Thus, your kids may be excited for a much-needed break, but you may be worried that there are still gaps in what they have learnt at school this past year.

If your feel like this, have no fear, because Surbiton tutor, NumberWorks'nWords has got advice on how your child can practice their maths and English in the last few weeks of school before the doors close for the Summer - and the summer holidays, if they want some extra practice.

Now is the time to go for it - but make sure it is not high pressure, and it is fun.

Over breakfast - or a teatime snack, NumberWorksn'Words Surbiton suggests your child does the following:

Reading practice 

If your son really won't pick up a book and read despite the fact that he can, what about finding a short funny bit in the paper or online every day to share? There's usually something that's more light-hearted or engaging (it's your job to find it though!) 

What about the puzzle page in the paper with the quick maths agility puzzles. Just the easy one every day (even 3 a week) is good for anyone who sort of knows their tables and number facts. Time yourselves - but remember, it's not a test, it's something to do together!

Table facts

If chanting tables hasn't worked for your daughter, what about picking off 2 hard facts per week (7x9 and 9x4 as well as 9x7 and 4x9) have them sticking them on the fridge on fluorescent post its. Test them 4 or 5 times per day, it needn't be boring if you make it jokey. Week two, choose 2 more, but keep on practicing the first ones. If you stick at it for July and August, you should see real progress, maybe most table facts could be licked over 10 weeks.

Spellings

If there's nothing coming from school, or it's just not relevant, pick two each week and learn all the words linked to those:

E.g. Easy Ones:  e.g. go/going/goes,  does/doesn't  some/some

Medium: cross/crossed/across/crossly or

pretty difficult: special (say it speck i al if it helps) and then learn especially, specialist, speciality etc

For getting words down on paper quickly, how fast can a sentence be written which includes that word? Can you make it really silly?

Use coloured felt tips, or gel pens - makes it more rewarding, so long as it's neatish!

Next month, look out for more ideas to do over the holidays themselves.

If you think more help is needed, give NumberWorks'nWords Surbiton's owner Celia Osborne a ring on 020 8399 1234 or drop her a line at [email protected] to book an assessment and trial lesson.

Celia said: "You'll be surprised, even the most reluctant children enjoy it!"

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