Summertime is right around the corner. Summer vacation is a time most kids look forward to – a break from school and a new routine is exciting and builds anticipation. However, the summer months can also lead to boredom, loneliness, depression, and anxiety for children of all ages. To get ahead of these common – if unexpected – issues, try making this summer all about healthy, fun activities to keep kids stimulated, motivated, and positive. Here are some ideas:
- Get in the water. The days will be long and hot – perfect for afternoons at the pool! Swimming is a fantastic exercise for children, and the pool is a social, dynamic place where they can play games and meet new friends. Be sure to practice safe swimming, with at least one adult in charge of keeping an eye on the water at all times. Keep plenty of water-resistant sunscreen on hand, and reapply every 40-60 minutes.
- Read books. Summer can be a great time to help a child embrace their love of reading – mainly because they can tap into entertaining books that might not be core to their school curriculum. If your child is not yet able to read on their own, spend quality time reading aloud together. For school-age children, encourage them to set goals around their reading and read fun complements to their school books appropriate for their current reading comprehension level. This way, you can help prevent your child from experiencing a summer slide in their reading skills. Even better – encourage children to read the same books as friends and peers so that they can talk about what they’re reading and feel a sense of shared affinity.
- Set limits on screen time. Busy parents can quickly lose track of how much time their children have spent reclining in front of the TV or glued to a smartphone. Summer is a unique opportunity for children to get more socializing and exercise than usual. Plus, spending at least half an hour engaged in moderate exercise three times a week is proven to improve a child’s self-esteem, promote healthy sleep, and alleviate stress. By setting limits on how much time they spend in front of a screen, parents and caregivers help create boundaries and teach children how to create routines constructively.
- Get creative in the kitchen. Children may feel hungrier than usual during the summer without the same intervals between meals they are used to during the school year. Help children take ownership of their diet and learn about basic food preparation by stocking the kitchen with healthy staples, like fruit, yogurt, whole-grain bread, and snackable veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and snap peas. Give children a bit of instruction on safely preparing food, and let them get imaginative with different food combinations and preparations.
- Spend time together as a family. Most parents will not have the same summer schedule as their children, but carving out some dedicated time to do things together, from board games to beach days, bike rides to picnics, will boost the entire family's mental health.
Looking for a way to help your children find their stride this summer? Maryvale’s Summer Day Camp is fun, educational, active, and supportive. Our Summer Day Camp is open to children from kindergarten to 6th grade and is held at our Duarte Center. We also bring children out into the world to learn more about the local community and explore our surroundings’ natural beauty. Our field trips take children to the KidSpace Museum in Pasadena, Griffith Park Observatory, Pirate Park, and hiking trips in the Children’s Forest. Our staff makes each day a fun, exploratory experience while promoting positive social development, physical and mental health, and a spirit of inquiry that keeps children mentally acute. Get in touch to learn more about summer camp at Maryvale.
