Summer workbooks: should children still be doing work before the start of the new school year?

With less than a month until the start of the school year, summer workbooks are being pulled out of suitcases and cupboards. Students in mainland France are scheduled to return to school on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, following the teachers' pre-service day the day before. For many families, August therefore marks the gradual return to revision after several weeks off. The schedule was established by a decree published in the Official Journal.

French, mathematics, languages, or general knowledge: the selection now extends from preschool to high school. These books allow students to review the main concepts studied during the year and identify any difficulties before the start of the new term. They can also help children gradually regain the habit of reading instructions, concentrating, and writing.

Short sessions rather than an intensive program

With the start of the school year just a few weeks away, it would be counterproductive to try to rush through an entire workbook. Short, regular exercises are generally preferable to long sessions that feel like a punishment. Fifteen to twenty minutes, several times a week, can be enough to refresh knowledge without turning the end of the holidays into an extension of school.

The workbook's level should also correspond to the child's actual needs. A student who has experienced difficulties can review the essential skills from their previous grade, while another might focus on logic games, reading, or more creative activities. The goal is not to get ahead of the curriculum, but to solidify the foundations and rebuild confidence.

Learning is not limited to written exercises.

Learning can also happen through everyday activities. Reading a comic book, following a recipe, calculating a price, keeping a travel journal, or observing nature develops academic skills without the formal structure of a notebook. For younger children, board games, in particular, allow them to work on math, vocabulary, memory, and respecting rules.

The summer workbook remains a useful tool, but it should not become a source of conflict or an excessive obligation. Rest, physical activity, and time spent with family also contribute to a child's well-being. As the start of the school year approaches, the best compromise is to gradually resume a regular routine while preserving the relaxing atmosphere of the last few weeks of vacation.