Summer learning time is upon us and it already feels like it is FLYING by, but fear not! We have outlined TEN exciting and effective ways to maximize the time that you have remaining and have a blast doing so. No time to waste, let’s live it up this summer!
1. Passion Project
What is a Passion Project exactly? The name pretty much says it all! Essentially, each member of your family decides on a topic in which they find inspiration. They research, create and execute presentations as a family in a few weeks. Last summer, my family used the social climate to propel music-themed passion projects. This resulted in our two oldest children curating dynamic presentations on two musicians who are key role models in their lives. If you want to take this idea to the next level, find a list of extended project ideas here.
2. Summer Reading
Most schools and local libraries provide lists of suggested (or required!) summer reading materials. If you’re searching for something different, dive into these resources: Imagination Soup, Scholastic’s Middle School list and Understood.org’s list for reluctant readers! Don’t forget how exciting receiving magazine subscriptions was as a child. Try finding a high-interest magazine for your kiddo (Kazoo and Lego are two of our favorites!). Find a shady nook and blanket or soak in the sun with lemonade and enjoy reading this summer!
3. Game Time
Explore a variety of games – card, board, imagination, mental, online. They not only help your learners stay engaged and bust boredom, but strengthen their critical thinking and Executive Functioning skills. As you may know, these are critical components to any learner’s social-emotional toolbox. Spend some downtime developing these abilities before next school year! For ideas, please check out the second week of our summer video series!
4. Experimental Living
Enjoy spending a little time being a scientist yourself by orchestrating a few simple science experiments for your learners at home by exploring ideas from KinderCare or Business Insider (to name a few!).
5. What’s (or Who’s) Cooking?
Enjoying your time as a family in the kitchen provides endless opportunities! Learners can write and create menus, grocery lists, recipes as well as prepare and execute meals. My kiddos even use cooking supplies as imagination starters to play music, wear helmets, use as stencils, you name it! Helping you with meals in can strengthen feelings of productivity, ownership, creativity and ultimately, motivate them to cook when the school year comes!
6. Day Trips
Summer seems like optimal timing for day trips. Discussing ideas and organizing your time together before venturing makes for a fun mealtime conversation! You can also follow an old school paper map. Take pictures all along and log your daily occurrences in a journal to have a keepsake for the future. Not to mention to continue reinforcing their planning and writing skills!
7. Motorize
Spending time building your learners’ fine and gross motor skills is easy peasy, promise! Encouraging safe, risk-taking behaviors such as climbing a tree, swimming, learning new dance moves, playing hopscotch. Or try low-risk activities such as playing with slime, drawing, coloring or collaging.
8. Gardening Galore
Believe it or not, fall is right around the corner, so why not start planting seeds to enjoy this Autumn?! Produce (pumpkins, kale, squashes, collards, etc.) or flowers (roses, chrysanthemums, sunflowers) can both thrive in the fall season. The Honeycomb Home has many ideas to spark your creative juices. Just remember to check out your region’s list of viable options and the timing for each. Gardening is not only fun to plan and execute, but also to observe as your family patiently waits for beauty to sprout!
9. Journaling
I have fond memories of keeping a diary as a girl, but I know that’s not the case for everyone. These tools may inspire resistant writers: Wreck this Journal, invisible ink supplies, Mad Libs, Highlights and travel journals.
10. Get Organized
No time like the present to provide your learners with some summer structure by creating a routine and weekly calendar! Utilize the lull to set up work spaces and use their planning skills to write a list of back-to-school supplies. When establishing organizational goals for the summer avoid anything too lofty or you run the risk of not finishing what you started. This can be even more stressful than not getting organized in the first place!
We hope you have time to explore and enjoy each and every aspect of summer that brings your family and friends joy as we intend to do! Keep learning alive while discovering what makes your learners tick and you will all surely thrive as a result!
