Yet that is what happens to many of our children’s brains every summer. They stop using them in the same way and they seize up.

Let’s make it clear: the summer break is exactly that – a break, but where did we ever get the idea that it should mean a total abandonment of learning? Why do the words ‘summer’ and ‘learning’ seem at odds with each other for many of us?

While children should not feel pressured to spend their holiday time in formal learning, keeping in touch with some learning is still very important.

For one, it will save teachers from having to spend so much time during the first new semester going over forgotten topics, and children so much effort trying to remember how to think, learn and settle down.

That said, summer is indeed a special time, so we should have a notable difference between this and academic learning.

So how might we get the best from summer learning?

Here are six dos and don’ts

First the things you should do…

1.    Do encourage your child to continue to read. Reading books aren’t just for term time. Keep your child in the practice of picking up a book, whether it’s bedtime reading, shared reading or reading alone. Why not create a nice, comfy cushioned area for wind down evening time reading?

2.    Do brush up on weak areas. Use summertime to help your child brush up in those areas where he or she has struggled throughout the academic term. Teachers often have to rush through topics in order to cover all of the syllabus and at the same time ensure children know what they need in order to pass tests! As children learn at different paces this may lead to some being left behind. Use the summertime (a 10 or 15-minute slot here and there!) to go over those topics so that your child is ready for the new term.

3.    Do encourage your child to make a decision to learn something new.  Depending on what this is he or she could set a goal to learn one new thing each week or one new thing this summer. Summertime is a great time to pursue new interests and discover new areas as we generally have more time and feel less rushed.

4.    Do remember those all-important life skills. If your child is about to start school this is the best time to reinforce certain learning areas, and to keep practising them. Help your child to spell his or her name, get dressed and undressed alone, practise good table habits or practise their concentration skills using games and activities that require attentiveness, such as jigsaw puzzles and threading beads.

5.    Do learn together. There are many wonderful benefits to be had from learning with your child. It helps you to bond, reaffirms that learning is both exciting and important, sends a positive message that it’s not just for kids; and it results in the discovery of new things for both parent and child. Set time aside to learn something new with your child.

6.    Do think! Summer is a great time to develop your child’s faculty for self-reflection. Use social events, outdoor pursuits and outings by encouraging your child to talk about them and reflect on their experience and feelings.

And now for the don’ts

1.    Don’t throw out routines – tempting as this might be it will only make matters difficult for you both when your child returns to nursery or school. Routine is the foundational learning ground for many things – they teach children a sense of time, moderation and order. A child’s success at school is partly dependant on their respect for and understanding of routine. Besides, routines are important to a child’s sense of security.

2.    Don’t throw out mathematics. Find fun ways to practise numeracy and mathematical concepts. Reintroduce mathematics through activities such as cooking, shopping, planning trips and travelling. Play games that involve using mathematics.

3.    Don’t over do it. See summer learning as distinctively different to academic learning. Summer learning should have a gentle, laid back and light feel. It should be the type of learning that you tap into rather than spend hours doing, or that can be made seamless with play.

4.    Don’t make learning seem like a slog. If your child equates reading, writing and numeracy with learning at school then you may find it difficult to encourage these as activities during the summer. Find fun ways to keep your child in touch with these areas: encourage them to write letters or postcards, write shopping lists, write and perform a play, and keep a diary over the holidays.

5.    Don’t leave out incentives – for example, help your child to set a goal to see how many books he or she can read by the end of term, how many new things they can learn, or simply how much of a particular topic they can cover.

6.    Finally – and importantly: Don’t use learning as a punishment. When we were kids my dad would often tell us to go and read a book if he thought we were making too much noise! Avoid being like my dad!