Summer vacation is finally here, and this is a time of year that parents approach with both excitement and a little trepidation. On the one hand, it’s nice to experience a lull in an otherwise busy schedule – no more busy nights full of homework, packing lunches, and other school preparation activities. On the other hand, it can be difficult for some parents to keep their children learning over summer break. If you’re wondering how to keep your children away from the computer or TV this summer, we have the perfect place to start. Try one of these activities to keep your kids learning over summer break.
Take Up a New Hobby
Summer in Arizona can be tough, especially since we deal with extreme and sometimes oppressive heat. It’s not always possible to wave your kids outside and tell them to “use their imaginations.” When the summer heat becomes too much to enjoy time outside, encourage your children to take up a hobby. This could be something as simple as joining a summer swim team, or as complex as creating their own science experiments. When children have autonomy over what activities they want to participate in, they’re more likely to follow through and enjoy themselves.
Carve Out Some Family Time
American families have a reputation for being “busy.” We have long school days and homework, extracurricular activities and extra tutoring sessions. When days become overloaded like this, we miss out on important opportunities to connect. Summer’s lull in the busyness presents a perfect opportunity to spend quality time as a family. Something as simple as scheduling a sit-down family dinner can be an effective way to keep your family closer. Research shows that regular family dinners can provide important physical, mental, and emotional benefits – they can cut the risk of obesity, improve your child’s efficacy, and even stave off depression. Use family time as a chance to reconnect with your children and ask about what’s going on with your lives – you’ll be surprised how much you all enjoy it!
Limit Screen Time
Lastly, take steps to reduce the amount of screen time your children have this summer. Instead of using phones or TVs, encourage your children to read by enrolling them in a summer reading program with prizes and other incentives. Take family trips to museums or the local swimming pool.
Summer doesn’t have to be boring – your kids can have fun while learning in the process. Just try out one of these ideas.
For more family fun ideas click here on this article from Neighborhoods.com