And a bit about 'Summer Schools/Clubs'...
We hear all the time from friends/family and newspaper articles, how school children are working towards certificates and goals. Well if that's your 'bag', and you believe that it will encourage the children, there is plenty of scope for Home Edders to do this too. From art, archaeology, sports, creative writing, to environmental issues.
The obvious place to start is with what interests the child, be it insects or football, and get in touch with local groups. Or get together with your HE group and book a day session, kayaking or pond dipping, or whatever takes your fancy.
Our group recently completed a 12-month ecology study of a local pond for the John Muir Award.
The children have certificates in various areas and are currently working towards Art Awards for Trinity College London and their British Gymnastics awards. Alongside their choir, they will shortly be presented a RPS Music Award. They have dance and ballet trophies and one child has many show-jumping rosettes, one child has won a shield for Army Cadets. They have won awards and prizes from competitions with the VG&M in Liverpool, the RSPB, and the Catalyst Museum in Widnes.
My kiddos are not unstoppable go-getters by any stretch of the imagination, I am just sharing how obtainable awards can be, and how they record for keeps, in black and white [and pretty pictures if you are lucky :) ] some recognition for the child's enthusiasm and hard work.
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| Taking a break while pot-holing |
Photo or drawing competitions are a good way to begin.
Each Summer the local libraries have a reading scheme, with goodies and a certificate for every child who completes the tasks. There is Tennis Summer School or Summer Athletics Club for example if you want something more short term to test your child's interest over the holidays.
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| Bake Off Competition |
Country fairs usually have categories for children to enter a homegrown vegetable, a homemade cake, or a flower display. Or even enter your dog in a charity dog show.
It's an exciting moment when a certificate drops through the letterbox :)
