5 Things to do with the Family over the Summer.

5 things to do with the family over the summer to make memories. Summer is coming fast, and schools will be ending soon in some places in a few weeks. Here are five ideas to do with the family to make memories.

1. Structure – Structure is so important to keep over the summer. The structure provides safety and expectations. Children will feel safe that they know when meals will happen and what is expected of them. Keep structure in your routines. It can be more relaxed, but structure is important for all ages. Keep to some of your family routines. Like a regular bedtime and expectations of what the children are to do during the day. For example, taking the dog for a walk, loading the dishwasher, or taking out the trash. It is also important each child has some responsibility for each day. Kids respond well to structure even in the summer.

2. Read – Everyone read. Reading is important for the whole family to show how reading is vital in the family. To encourage reading over the summer many libraries sponsor reading challenges. The child must read so many books to receive prizes. Many bookstores have free summer reading programs. If the child reads a certain number of books he gets a free book at the end. Many schools require the children to complete a reading list over the summer and some type of book report.

An activity for the whole family to read together. It is Drop Everything And Read (DEAR). It would be similar to what schools do for DEAR. DEAR is when everyone drops everything and reads. It is usually around 10 minutes. It also does not matter what the item is we just stop and read. In a family, a set time daily would probably work best like after dinner or right before bedtime. It is especially important for children to see their parents reading too. It can be magazines, books, newspapers, pamphlets, or online. But it needs to be reading material. It works better if it can be every day at a certain time. Even early readers can do it by picking books and reading the pictures in the stories. If you have early readers may want, make the time a little shorter. Your children will see that the whole family reads and enjoys doing it. Reading can open doors to many things.

Another activity the family can do is develop a family book club. Similarly, to adult book clubs where each member picks a book. Each family member can pick a book for the whole family to read. The family then discusses the book at dinner time or family time. Even pre-readers or early readers can participate. You can read the book aloud at dinner and then discuss the book with the young readers. If you have a wide range of ages among your children think creatively about how to get all your children. You can read aloud the book at bedtime. Read-aloud can be done with all ages of children, especially at bedtime. All children enjoy listening to read-alouds.

3. Make memories – You want to make long memories. Making memories does not have to cost much money. The experience needs to have some impression on your child. Long-term memory happens when the experience is meaningful to the child. So, plan activities that are meaningful to your child. Get your child to plan what they want to do. Plan together. Build traditions. Traditions are not only for the holidays. Creating traditions can be done anytime in the year. Building summer traditions is important.

One way to remember the summer is with summer journals. Everyone including the parents has a journal and writes/draws in it daily/weekly. The journal is to highlight their memories for that day or week. Then together as a family share experiences. It could be weekly or monthly. Do what is best for your family. The summer journals can keep for several years to share again. Summer journals are for keeping memories for years to come.

4. Physical fitness – Summer is a great time to keep your child active with physical fitness. With the summer weather, it is much easier to go outside and move. Make it part of your schedule to do something active daily. Go for a walk, bike ride, swim, and be active. Plan family relay races or obstacle courses. Whatever you do be active.

5. Enjoy – Do things together that your family enjoys. Find fun and enjoyment with what you do as a family. Enjoy picnics, beach trips, walks, and playing with friends. Whatever it is that your family loves, do it as often as you can. Laugh together, share together, work together, and most importantly enjoy being together.

Suggestions for summer activities email me.

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