Summer Scheduling
Gregory K. Moffatt, Ph.D.
Summer is closing upon us quickly and you may find yourself wondering what to do with all of the free time your grade school age child will on his or her hands. This month I suggest a number of projects that may make your children's summer weeks productive as well as give them something to occupy their time. If you develop a routine that doesn't change very much, you will find it easier to manage your home in the summer and your child will know what is expected each day.
First, avoid the temptation let your child sit in front of the television all day. A limited amount of healthy TV or DVD viewing is ok, but limit television viewing to an hour or two a day. Give your child a list of programs or videotapes from which he or she can choose his or her own programming. Local libraries have a selection of videos if you would rather not rent from a video store. Mail order DVD rental companies like Blockbuster and Netflix offer a huge variety of old TV shows, movies, and educational programs that could be a part of your summer viewing selection.
Your summer routine should include a 30-minute to 1 hour quiet time every day. Quiet time may be most easiest in the early afternoon hours when it may be too hot to play outside. During quiet time your child can read, nap, or play quietly with a puzzle or quiet toy. This will give both you and your child a break.
Plan a structured outdoor activity every at least one day a week. This could be anything from finding all the types of plants that grow in your yard to finding bugs, looking at clouds or birds, or simply going for a walk. Local libraries have numerous field guides on clouds, trees, plants, bugs, birds, rocks, etc. You and your child can learn together. By the end of the summer your child will have learned something about the world in which he lives.
Have your child participate in indoor projects as well. You can teach your child to cook or sew. Most children will enjoy the opportunity to participate in baking cookies or making a piece of clothing. Plan an activity of this type about once a week.
A weekly trip together could also break up the week. Trips can be expensive, such as Six Flags, Fernbank, or White Water Park, but they do not have to be. The state capital museum is a great place to learn and there is no charge. Airports, fire stations, police stations, court houses and other public facilities may be willing to give your family a tour if you call and ask. Activities like this may be even better if you get some friends to go with you. The fire station, for example, may be more interested in a group of ten than a group of two.
Most local libraries have summer reading programs that can broaden your child's understanding of the world, reinforce a productive habit, and keep him or her occupied during the summer. Many of these reading programs have incentives such as free food or refreshments at area restaurants for children who participate.
Another important part of your child's summer routine is a regular set of chores. There should be some age appropriate chore that the child can complete each day or every few days. A preschool child may simply make the bed whereas an older child may need to be responsible for cleaning a bathroom or helping with the dishes at specific meals during the week.
Finally, let your child keep a daily or weekly log of summer activities. This will help your child remember what she has done as well as reinforce learning that has taken place. A notebook for just this reason can include notes of all the plants, insects, animals, animal tracks, clouds, birds, and so forth that you find together during the summer as well as your field trips and new skills.
These suggestions can help you manage your child's summer
as well as skills that will help your child understand the world.