When kids hear the word “summer”, their heads are filled with visions of swimming, trips, lazy mornings in jammies and playtime - all the time. The last thing on their minds is anything school-related. But, summertime can be a great time to keep up those academic skills as well. And, all it takes is fifteen minutes.
Our last day of school is quickly approaching here, and my 2nd grader is definitely in tune to that. Each day, he tells us how many more school days he has left, and then he proceeds to name all the fun things he’s going to do over the summer, from sleepovers to trips to the grandparents’ house to swimming and playing with the neighbors. He also knows that many of the things he does in school now will be carried over to the summer.
Summertime is just around the corner, and my second grader will be a newly-appointed third grader. Summer, for us, means swimming, sleepovers, and a bit of educational “stuff” to keep us on our toes.
One of my favorite activities to do with my boys is so simple, it is amazing that I don’t try it year-round. For the summer, I set up several “themed” boxes. These boxes are self-contained learning centers that can travel with us, be stored on a shelf or in a closet, and cost virtually nothing for me to set up. We love to pull out a box on a rainy day or when we’re not feeling our best. And, when my little guy is napping, we usually find time for the boxes then as well! I typically use plastic lidded bins, but shoe boxes would work as well. The idea is to find things to use in a different way that will be fun and enjoyable while still promoting my child’s educational needs during the long break.
