Preventing ‘summer slide’

By incorporating enjoyable learning activities into Summer Academy programmes, Anfield International Kindergarten ensures participants stay sharp and enjoy their holidays, says school principal Denise Jarrett.

“Young children are sponges when it comes to learning, provided the learning is geared to their interests, and is appropriate to their stage of development,’’ she says.

With a standard two-month summer break for international schools in Hong Kong, it makes sense for youngsters to spend a few hours a day in a stimulating environment, with experienced teachers and engaged fellow students.

Jarrett emphasises that the Summer Academy programmes are not just replicas of regular lessons, as the summer holidays should be a time for kids to have a break from their normal routine.

“Therefore, classes and activities are carefully planned and structured to offer something different from the usual term-time fare,” she says.

“The children feel that [taking part in the programme] is just a lovely thing to do,” Jarrett says, adding that the view of leading experts in child development is that such programmes help to prevent the “summer slide” or “summer set back”.

Skills acquired during the previous academic year are maintained, and useful information and new abilities are picked up along the way.