Plan Summer Activities for Your Children

Written by Vida Choucalas, District Director of Special Education

Every year, parents are faced with the same question: How do I make the summer both fun and constructive for my children? With this in mind, there are many issues to consider when planning enrichment activities with your children.

Is there a balance between learning and fun?

Good summer enrichment activities combine learning and fun by incorporating the fun into learning. When children are enjoying themselves, the brain does a better job of retaining information.

Is the activity enriching and adding to a child's life of learning?

When most parents hear summer enrichment, they think of just academics. When children are able to acquire new skills in creative writing, reading, problem solving, and critical thinking, they will benefit greatly. However, offering opportunities for growth in life skills areas to build confidence, motivation, and self-esteem, as well as, communication and leadership skills, then you are assisting children in growing both academically and in life.

How much time in the summer should be spent on enrichment activities?

There is no set time but students do benefit from relaxation or downtime during the summer. Parents must take into consideration their child's learning habits and set up activities that best meet their child's individual needs.

How can you get your children reading, and keep them reading this summer?

Make reading a family affair

• Model reading for your children.
  
• Talk to your children about the books they are reading.
  
• Ask questions like:
  
  • Why did you like the book?
    
  • Why was the character interesting?
    
  • What new words have you learned?
    
• Read aloud to your child, even if he/she can read to himself/herself.
  
• Listening comprehension builds reading comprehension.
  
• The whole family can enjoy a book that is read aloud.

Make the library part of your plans

• Visit the public library. They have special programs throughout the summer.

Make reading part of your routine

• Set aside a time each day, like 15-20 minutes after supper or before bed for everyone to read.
  
• Have a daily quiet time for reading.
  
• Listen to books on tape in the car and discuss the book together, as a family.

Make reading fun and easy to enjoy

• Let your children choose books according to their interests and comfort level. The books should be easy and enjoyable to read.
  
• Magazines are a great alternative to books.
  
• Let your children read whatever they want to read in the summer.

As you go through the day

• Cooking, gardening, grocery shopping, playing games -- utilize this time as an opportunity to engage in verbal word play, vocabulary building, recognizing new and familiar words or attaching meaning to words and sentences.

Trips can be a fun way to encourage reading

• Ask your children to read traffic signs and billboards aloud. Show them how to read a map, and once you are on the road, let them take turns being the navigator.

Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook

• Tape in souvenirs of your family's summer activities - picture postcards, ticket stubs, photos. Have your children write the captions and read them aloud as you look at the book together.