Close Reading Comprehension 'The Holiday’ (4-8 years) - Activity Pack

The activity pack titled 'The Holiday' is an engaging reading comprehension exercise designed for children aged 4 to 8 years. The story follows a family's trip to the south coast where Sam and his sister Kim embark on a swimming adventure in their caravan's campsite pool. As part of the phonics-focused activity, children are encouraged to identify and underline words containing the 'ou' and 'ow' sounds in red and blue respectively. This includes words like 'south', 'shout', 'cloud', 'loud' for the 'ou' sound, and 'how', 'now', 'towel', 'coward', and 'flower' for the 'ow' sound. In addition, the story provides a rich context for exploring vocabulary, as children are prompted to list words from the story that contain these specific phonetic sounds.

The narrative captures Sam's excitement and apprehension as he confronts the chilly pool waters, egged on by his sister Kim who teases him for his hesitance. The story builds tension with the sudden change in weather, leading to a dramatic exit from the pool as thunder rolls and rain pours down. The accompanying comprehension questions delve into the details of the story, asking children to consider why Sam is excited, what the campsite offers, and how Kim and Sam interact during their swim. These questions aim to assess the child's understanding of the text, vocabulary, and the emotions of the characters, enhancing their cognitive and empathetic skills. The activity pack also encourages personal reflection, inviting children to write about their own holiday experiences, fostering creativity alongside reading comprehension.