| Summer is here and the kids are on a break from | | | | reading everyday. You can buy a grade level |
| school for three months. There are many things you | | | | appropriate workbook of math facts and have your |
| can do to make the most of your summer and | | | | child do a page each day to keep their skills sharp |
| planning regular activities with and for your kids is one | | | | throughout the summer. It is best to do these things at |
| of them. It does not require a lot of money but it does | | | | the same time everyday to form a pattern that they |
| require some planning to be able to have a plan for | | | | expect. |
| each day so your kids don't end up in front of the | | | | Another great idea is to have the kids do some kind of |
| television for hours or are constantly whining to you | | | | physical activity each day. The trick to this is to make it |
| that they are bored. | | | | seem like play then they won't feel like they are |
| If you plan out on a calendar an activity for each day, it | | | | exercising. Go to the local pool for swimming lessons |
| will give the kids something to look forward to and will | | | | or take a bike ride around the neighborhood are both |
| give them a way to be stimulated both physically and | | | | great ideas. Have them invite some friends over and |
| mentally over their school vacation. Whether it is | | | | plan a scavenger hunt that will require them to run all |
| planning an arts and craft day when it is raining outside | | | | around and perform a variety of tasks to get to the |
| by using art supplies and foam board or by taking a | | | | end. Take a nature hike in the woods is another great |
| trip to the local zoo. This article will offer a variety of | | | | idea and have them do leaf impressions during it to |
| ideas to keep you and your kids busy this summer. | | | | keep in a special book. |
| One of the things that many teachers complain about | | | | If you have a family vacation planned, prepare the kids |
| is how much the students need to catch up once they | | | | for where they are going and make it educational too. |
| come back to school again. One of the best ways to | | | | Teach them about some interesting facts about the |
| keep them stimulated and involved intellectually is to | | | | vacation spot and have them keep a trip journal. |
| create a chart that involves a small amount of reading | | | | Traveling is one of the best learning experiences for |
| and math facts for them to do daily. You can get | | | | both children and adults. Cooking is another fun thing to |
| whatever books they are excited to read at your local | | | | do in the summer. Try making homemade ice cream |
| library. The more they are interested in the book, the | | | | or popsicles for a yummy summer treat. Cooking is |
| more likely they will be excited to do a few minutes of | | | | great because math is used as well as creativity. |