The Best School Holidays Ever - The Potential Ability Group (TPAG)

May 15th, 2019Maddy CalderwoodActivities & Ideas, Play & Socialising

Attention to all parents of school aged children, dread school holidays no more! We hear it, we see it and we feel it. The pressure of school holidays approaching, the concerns of siblings fighting, the stress of being out of the school routine. So, what can we do to create school holidays our kids will look forward to? Read on as there is fun for everyone!
For passionate animal lovers, pack hats, sunscreen, water bottles and snacks and stop off at one or more of the following:

Monarto or Adelaide zoo is open every day from 9:30am until 5pm, including public holidays. Ask for a map and see how many animals can be found and crossed off! Let your child practice reading a map in a fun and friendly environment and have them lead you around the zoo. Why not explore via the shuttle to practice waiting in line and boarding a bus with others, what a great way to work on social skills!
Head down to Port Adelaide and board the Port River Dolphin cruise. Departing every day at 11:30am and 1:30pm, this 90-minute experience will have you waiting in anticipation as to how many dolphins will appear and if they will even get close to the boat. Who will spot the dolphin’s first, let’s pay attention?
Pack a picnic and explore local wetlands or botanic gardens. Take the time to quietly listen for different sounds and compare differences in what everyone hears. What can you smell? How many things catch your child’s eye? Be sure to take it in turns to share these discoveries! And come lunch time, what does your child notice is different about eating in the park compared to their home environment? Be sure to take notice yourself of any differences in your child’s eating behaviour and behaviour in general as they begin learning about adapting their behaviours to different environmental settings. Be sure to raise any concerns with your child’s OT.
Head down to the water with your fishing rods, a tin or two of corn kernels, a bucket and maybe a chair. It’s time for your child to practice their fine motor skills and bait up the fishing rod. Concentrate on the rod as you wait for a cod! And what better way for your child to build strength and coordination in the upper body whilst working on their balance than by reeling in the perfect catch of the day!

It’s always good to have alternatives to outdoor activities and even more important to have a balance in everything. Check out the following:

Bowling is a great way to build strength, coordination, team work, hand eye coordination, turn taking and social skills in children. With many locations around South Australia, it is never too far before you are bowling down memory lane with the kids.
Get your thinking caps on and visit any of the three Adventure rooms in Adelaide CBD. Work together to manage your time and problem solve your way out of the locked room. Will you beat the clock to find the clues and solve the mystery in 60-minutes?
Refer to our blog post on the benefits of playgrounds for fantastic, fun-filled playground ideas! What a great way to build gross motor abilities.
Why not enrol your child in the The Potential Ability Group Holiday Group Program. This is a great opportunity for your child to develop their language and social skills, meet new peers, and be a valued member in an interactive group setting. Take the chance to chat with one of our OT’s about your child’s strengths, challenges or simply how OT services can help your family.
If out and about has you in doubt, why not keep occupied in the comfort for your own home with these fun ideas: Cooking is a great way to develop fine motor skills, foundational gross motor skills, coordination, creativity, concentration and reading ability. From edible playdough, to cookies, fruit skewers to a stir-fry meal, why not sit down with your child and have them write out a plan of what they are going to cook and what ingredients they need. You are the expert of your own child, know their capabilities and allow them the level of independence they can achieve when cooking the recipe.
Stock up on supplies and get cutting and pasting, painting and colouring, weaving and knitting with endless art, craft and origami activities!
Check out our fact sheet on the importance of “Heavy Work”, you will soon realise school holidays = extra hands to get the household chores completed. Get your child onto vacuuming the floors and hanging out the washing, and mix this together with trampolines, bikes, playing with the dog, all to get them active and regulated at several points throughout the day.
Of course, bring out the cards and board games to encourage turn taking, patience, sharing healthy competition, social skills and most importantly… FUN!

Utilise the holidays to give your child engaging and enriching experiences. They will develop interpersonal and creative skills while boosting their self-esteem and confidence.

References

Zoos South Australia 2019, accessed 10/04/19 <https://www.zoossa.com.au/>.

Dolphin Explorer 2019, The Port River dolphin cruise specialist, accessed 10/04/19 <https://www.dolphinexplorer.com.au/>.