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Summer is Here

School is ALMOST OUT!! 🥳

BUT what are we going to do all summer?!?!

For some, it can be scary to think that you will be home with your children all day.
For some, it can be a time of joy!

Either way, here are 9 things you should do daily as you build your relationship and strengthen your bond, while preparing for the following school year:


1. Read a book together. For the younger ones, enjoy that picture book for the millionth time. For the older ones, find a chapter book and read one chapter a day.



2. Spend at least 3 hours outside. This is not a punishment! Being outside is nature's anti-depressant, stress reducer, and mood lifter. Spend time together or alone outside playing, doing yard work, going for walks around the neighborhood, visit a state park, county park, or even a new local park.


3. Play together. Your children NEED your attention and will do whatever it takes to have that need filled. So, why not play together? Give them something to look forward to and let them see your inner child shine through.


4. Get messy! Children learn through play and then learn when multiple senses are engaged. There has been a rise in the need for sensory play in the classrooms, because this need is not being met naturally. When you let your child get messy, what is the worst that can happen? They can learn to clean up with you. 🙃🙂🙃 Not ready for the big mess, that is ok! Let them do something you would normally say no to!


5. Allow time and space for children to have uninterrupted free play. Children need uninterrupted free play to learn. School age children especially need uninterrupted free play to allow their bodies and brains to recover from the stress of the school year.


6. Let them be bored. When children are bored, they have to get creative. My children learned to find something to do because if they used the phrase, "I am so bored" they would get a cleaning chore. It was during those times they would get along with their sibling the most and find something fun, creative, and deep play happened. Our need to constantly entertain children is doing a disservice to them.


7. Don't push the academics. Children learn through play and playing reduces their stress level. The best things we can do to prevent the summer slide is allow for open ended, uninterrupted free play outside, limit screen time, and to read with our children. For children that can read, have them read out loud to you. Don't forget to sign up at your local library for their summer reading program.


8. Make memories! Childhood as we remember it is fading. As academics and the pressures to succeed are forced on children at younger and younger years, the opportunities to make memories together as a family is fading. Help preserve childhood by making positive memories with your children this summer.


9. HAVE FUN!!!!!


What else would you add to the list? Comment below
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