End of the School Year…Now what?

It’s getting close to that time of the year where school is winding down.  Your children only get so many summer vacations and let’s face it… you only get so many years with them while they are still wide-eyed and excited to spend their summer vacation with family.  We have put together some friendly advice to help you make the most of your child’s time off from school.  Cherish your time together.

“Share moments, share life, make memories.”

1. Reflect on what your children have learned this year and reinforce it during summer break. Put together a scrapbook or memory book that you will build on the entire summer. Fill this with receipts, tickets, or brochures from events your visit during the summer.
2. Have them write a letter to themselves on the first day of summer break for them to read on the first day of the new school year.
3. Encourage them to use the skills they learned at school. Did they learn about subtraction?  Spend an afternoon doing Sidewalk Subtraction. Schedule trips to the library or have them keep a journal to keep up those writing skills.
4. Celebrate the completion of the school year.  Schedule a week-long beach getaway.
5. Acknowledge their accomplishments.  Give them an award for a job well done.  They completed the tasks put in front of them. Those tasks may seem small because of their age, but do not underestimate or under-congratulate their efforts.
6. Don’t over-schedule. Make time for down-time. Like adults, children need time to relax outside of a schedule too.
7. Make time for outdoor activities. Go to the play ground, keep a vegetable garden, go to a museum, go hiking, or go to the zoo.
8. Plan a weekend getaway. Your children don’t have to know that you took advantage of last minute deals. Tell them in advance so that they have something to look forward to,  but secretly book at the last-minute for the best price.
9. Encourage helping around the house. Make it fun and not punishment! Let the kids help make dinner; give them a task like preparing the salad or making some tea. Let them fold laundry or wipe of the counters. Don’t over criticize. Show them how and let them do it their own way.
10. Be mindful of the moment.  Live in the present and teach your children how important it is to be mindful of what you are doing, what you taste, what you see, what you hear, the beauty of nature and the people around you.