So how do you help your children make the most of summer vacation? I believe in having downtime, just unscheduled, lazy days. Kids work hard during the school year, both in and out of the classroom, and deserve some periods with nothing planned or going on. To me, that’s summer.
However, it doesn’t have to be all or none. Involving your child in experiences that will enrich them, stretch them, educate them, etc. is important as well. There can be a balance between scheduled and unscheduled time. Summer is also a good time to help kids with skills that may be weak. Here are some suggestions.
Preschoolers
In addition to plenty of unstructured time indoors and out, think about –
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- Story hour at the library (or bookstore) – for fun and to encourage a love of reading.
- An art class – to stimulate creativity.
- Swimming lessons – for fun, safety, and exercise.
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Elementary Students
Study habits learning in these early school years stay with kids throughout high school and college. Consider –
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- A study skills class or tutor – if your child loses assignments, forgets to turn papers in, or has an unruly, disorganized notebook.
- A summer reading program through the library – to help kids complete their summer reading and reduce screen time.
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Middle Schoolers
As your child moves toward high school, help him find two or three activities that enjoy and can focus on it high school. To do this, sign up for –
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- One or more summer classes or camps – that look fun and interesting to them. Kids this age are old enough to pick their activities.
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High Schoolers
Summers ‘count’ more as colleges like to see engaged, active students. Some possibilities might include –
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- Community service – Most schools let students begin their community service requirements for the next school year in the summer.
- Scout badges or projects – Summer is a great time to plan or carry out Eagle or Gold projects.
- SAT prep – It’s easier to prep without the demands of school.
- A job – When I was in high school, most of my friends had summer jobs. Now it seems like the opposite is true. A job offers so many valuable life lessons.
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What do you suggest to make summer productive?
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