Summer is finally here! And with it comes vacation…a time to relax and reflect on the past year. You and your little one have made it! 👏 Think about all the worries you both had in September and think about where your child is now. It’s unbelievable…all the growth that has taken place.
In my last post, we talked about options for the months ahead. You know what is best for your child and how much activity they should have. Don’t forget the value of boredom and to keep them reading. Relish this time that you have them home all to yourself. It’s special and very precious. 😀
This will be my last post until right before school starts. If you know of anyone whose child is starting (or continuing) school in August, September, please send them over to join us. Have a wonderful summer with your wonderful little one. See you next school year!
School will be over soon (or already is) and summer is spreading in front of us like a long golden path. Time for family fun, relaxation, and no school schedules. Sounds wonderful, right? But then we worry that our children will become bored with nothing to do. What will they do with themselves over the long weeks ahead without the structure of school?
A lot of families choose summer camps for their little ones. These can be great. Some are geared toward a particular interest such as art or sports. Others are more general with games and swimming as the main highlights. Then there are the families who choose to not schedule anything during the summer. The idea is that everyone needs a break from the constant running around that happens during the school year. Either way, you know your child and what will work best for them.
The main thing I would encourage you to do is to keep your little one reading consistently during summer vacation. As a teacher, I have found that students often drop back at least one reading level over the summer. The way to prevent that is easy…keep reading! Just having your child read regularly to you at night is good. Another simple way is to let them be part of the free reading clubs that most libraries run during the summer. They usually involve prizes and incentives for books read. Whatever you decide, encourage your little one to read books at the reading level they are on and even on the one above that. (If you don’t know their reading level, ask their teacher.) Librarians can show you where the leveled books are. And, of course, there’s nothing wrong with them reading an “easier” book on occasion. It’s fun and a great confidence builder. Also there are lots of online reading program that are fun and will keep your child moving along. The point is to keep them reading!
As a final note, I have personally found that it is actually a good thing for children to get bored, especially near the end of the summer. It means they have wound down from the past school year and are ready to take on the challenges of a new one.
It’s June and schools are trying very hard to keep students interested and involved. And believe me, it is hard! After Memorial Day, summer vacation is so close that classes feel as if they have one foot out the door. Everyone is ready for a break.😀 But there are still a few weeks of school left (especially if you live in the northeast US), hence Spirit Days.
My district sponsors things such as Crazy Hair Day, a bike rodeo and an ice cream social day, along with field days and end of the year celebrations. Add to that, classes and learning still going on and it’s a lot!
As a parent, you are probably in the same boat. You are ready for the school year to end and the “lazy, crazy days of summer” to begin. All of these special days can seem to be too much to have to deal with right now. Try to remember that the children really look forward to them. This is when friendships really solidify…when things ease up and the kids have time to enjoy the fun things at school. Think back to your school memories. Chances are, these are the days you remember that made school fun.
So, try to roll with it. If your little one doesn’t have the perfect hat to wear or exactly the right color outfit, that’s ok. No one is going to judge you. The idea is to inject some lighthearted fun into the school curriculum and to give students a break on days they would rather be outside playing. They have worked hard all year. So have you supporting them. It really is time to lighten things up!
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