Summer Success

Making the Most of Your Summer

Boredom fosters creativity! Allow your kids to be bored.

Create rules or guidelines regarding your expectations during unstructured time. (How long can they be on their device, can they play whatever they want? How far can they travel away from home? How often do they need to check in? Etc.)

Research shows that students spend around two months (!) in the fall reviewing and re-learning information that they lost over the summer.

Here are some little ways that you can incorporate learning into everyday activities.

• Cook together - half a recipe or double it and have your child do the math.
• Go on a road trip – every time you see a distance sign, calculate how much longer until we get there.
• Have your child figure out the tip when you go out to eat.
• Give your child a budget and have them go grocery shopping.
• Go to the outlet mall!

Teach your kids tricks that you actually use!

Go to the library! Let your kid pick out something that interests them. The goal is to read SOMETHING every day.

Research shows that kids’ brains are active and ready to learn during the mornings, even during the summer.

So start a routine that allows time each morning to read, practice math, or spelling, or do a science experiment. A quick Google search will bring up hundreds of easy science experiments for kids.

Putting just a little extra thought and effort into the normal stuff that you are already doing can totally change how your child might look at that experience.

Going to Valleyfair?

Ask your kids what kind of ride they would invent. Would they ever consider being a person who creates roller coasters? Have them research what that person’s job title would be, or what they would go to school for. It will take less than a minute to look up and might get them thinking about the rides in a different way.

Make sure that your kids are getting enough physical activity during the summer.

Have your child sign up for a sport. Try learning a new skill, such as swimming. Practice physical activity as a family - start going on family bike rides, walks, or exploring your city, start a garden, have your child mow the lawn, etc.

Tips For Older Kids

Quote from the Dean of the University of MN Medical School (paraphrased):

“Know what you know, find out what you don’t, and figure out the rest.”

Basically, take the time to figure out your strengths – what do you know. Now what are your areas of opportunity? Great – let’s work on them. Take a summer class, try learning the subject matter in a different way, get involved – try something hands on.

Volunteer – not just for the service hours, but for the experience. Be open and willing to learn.

Work or intern! This is a great way to gain new skills, learn how to budget and manage your money with a job, or test out a specific career field.

Relax!

Find out what relaxes and restores you and make sure you are allowing time to do it. This goes for parents and kids. Summer should be a time to rest after a long and stressful school year. Try not to overbook your kids during the summer and make sure that you parents are taking time off too! PTO doesn’t always have to be used for doctor’s appointments, make sure that you are scheduling time to have fun and relax with your families too! Kids are learning from us all the time, so make sure to set a good example of healthy balance. Take time to have fun, remember to demonstrate healthy eating, healthy body image and talk about how to find balance.

Okay, so how are we actually going to achieve all this? We’re here to help, even during the summer. Log onto mcamustangs.org/summer.