10 things to do this summer to strengthen your child's (home) language skills 

1. Read! Summer is the perfect time to explore great books in whatever language. Also, students are never too old to be read to.
2. Play some language games on the road, such as “I spy with my little eye”.
3. Visit a museum on a topic of interest to your child(ren). Many museums have special tours or treasure hunts especially for children and some offer them in a variety of languages.
4. Try to use the language of the country you are visiting. Are you going to visit your home country? This is a great opportunity for your child to practice their language skills with family and friends back home. Having a staycation in the Netherlands? Make it your family challenge to use a bit of Dutch every day.
5. Visit the library. Your local library is a great place to visit with children of all ages. In the Netherlands, many libraries also host special activities for children – making a visit even more exciting.
6. Find a podcast on a topic of interest or try an audiobook to explore.
7.  ChatGPT storytime. Ask ChatGPT to write a story on something that has happened to you as a family. Including any family members as main characters makes the story extra interesting for children!
8. Write postcards from your holiday destination. Writing letters and cards is a great skill for students to practice. Sending cards to family and friends is also a great way to bring smiles to their faces.
9. Bird or bug hunt: connect with your local wildlife by learning the names of the birds and bugs around your holiday destination. After listing the animals, you can look up interesting facts to practice your child’s research skills.
10. Take the time to rest, play and talk with your child(ren). During the academic year there can be a lot going on for students and parents. If you are fortunate enough to have some time off this summer, take the time to relax. This will prepare students with the energy they need to prepare themselves for the new school year.

We hope these tips from Ms. Zohra inspire you to keep your child’s language skills thriving this summer — in fun, natural ways that fit your family’s plans. Whether you’re travelling far or staying close to home, a little extra language play goes a long way!

Wishing all our OIS families a wonderful, relaxing and language-rich summer break!