Summer vacation is a time to refresh, to regroup, to rest and to learn in a different setting than usual. Learning can be more relaxed and low key. You may have a routine or a “loosey goosey” routine. You may have a few things that are givens that you do every day, like reading, writing in a journal, going over math facts or exercising. Maybe each week you take on a new Unit of Study or subject like regions of the country, each week a different region with each member of the family taking on a different topic in that region and doing their own research and presenting at a designated time each day like after dinner or when ever it works into your schedule.
Other topics to cover could be continents, wars, fabrics, gardening, music genres or brainstorm and come up with topics of interest to your family. You each could research different family vacations, cost, what is involved and areas of interest/excursions. Upon completion of the unit, make a book through one of the photo platforms online or locally, like Snapfish, Walgreens or or Sam’s Club.
Utilize breaks from the regular school calendar to learn different subjects and skills. Consider some skills that your child doesn’t have time to learn during the school year and take time in the summer to arrrange for instruction. Skills like water safety/working toward a certification in lifeguarding, babysitting, self defense, how to play a musical instrument, cooking, sewing or life long sports instruction, like golf or tennis. For teenagers, consider life skills like changing a flat tire, basic health and safety skills. Ask your kids what their interests are and remember that some kids will opt to do nothing. Although you don’t want to over program them in the summer, they do need some unstructured time to be kids-some kids need a little nudge or they will do nothing, the summer will be over and they may have spend the summer connected to their tablets and phone. “A mind is a terrible thing to waste,” to borrow a phrase from a popular commercial back in the seventies. Also, take advantage of some unstructured time to spend more time as a family or plan some time with extended family.
Remember what your goals are a parent. One of our goals was to inspire life long learning and to teach our kids that education and learning didn’t end once they walked out those school doors. Just think of your life and how much learning YOU do everyday, learning new technology, a new part of your job, how to program the new garage door opener, setting timers while you are out of town, the features of a new car and on and on.
Make the most of the time you have with your children and work towards making as many days as possible…Great Days🍎
