Summertime Fun - Keeping Kids busy and engaged!

Summertime! - Healthy ways to Keep Your Kids Engaged.  

Summer is almost here and for some parents and kids, it’s an exciting and happy time of year.  Everyone is ready for a break from the daily grind. For others, it is a worrisome time, a time without the consistency of school schedules, predictable meals, and activities to keep kids busy or out of trouble.  Regardless of how you or your child feel about the upcoming two-plus months of summer, I thought it might be helpful to give parents and kids an idea of some of the things they can do to keep their brains and bodies busy in healthy and productive ways.

Summer can present challenges for middle school students because most have outgrown summer recreation programs offered through cities and towns, which help keep kids moving and socially engaged.  In addition, they are also too young to get real summer jobs. Left in a limbo of sorts, many parents wonder what their middle schoolers can do. Most parents worry about kids losing ground academically, wandering around town unsupervised, or being parked in front of the TV or internet for hours on end.  The following are some suggestions for a successful summer for you and your middle school child.

Summer Camp - Sign-ups for specialty summer camps have been well underway for months, so even though your first choice may be full, don’t hesitate to check it out, and add your child to a waiting list if one exists.  Changes and shifts do occur, and sometimes a slot will open up. If you are not sure which camp might be right for your child, check in with their teachers. They may be able to suggest areas of interest that you or your kiddo may not have thought of.  Vermont has a lot to offer - everything from nature experiences, to specialized sports, music, and academic opportunities. There are also art camps, camps that specialize in supporting boys or girls specifically, and camps that serve students with special needs or kids in minority populations.  Kids VT Summer Camp Guide often has a pretty comprehensive guide to what’s out there, so give that a look.  

If you are looking your kid to get out to see a different part of the country, and they are ready for an adventure away from home, there are residential opportunities in other states which will challenge a student to explore leadership skills and build self-confidence.  Though these types of camps may be hard to enroll in now, it’s good to start exploring them for subsequent summers. Check out NOLS, AdventuresAmerica, or Kroka Expeditions.  These are just a few, but many more exist.  

Get Moving - If summer camps aren’t on the agenda make sure that your kids have a physical outlet each day during the summer.  Often times, kids are making less healthy food choices this time of year, so movement is key to help kids stay physically fit.  Additionally, exercise can also keep kids feeling emotionally well. When we move, our brains release all kinds of feel-good chemicals, which can help teens feel more positive about themselves and their world.  How to get kids moving is sometimes the tricky part. You can help by setting family goals and charting your progress. Put a reward out there - something that involves family time spent together. Challenge each other to reach the goal.  Other ideas include doing simple things like swimming lessons or swim team or buying a pool pass which will get kids moving and will support healthy socialization each day. Another idea is to make sure that your child’s bike is tuned up and ready to ride.   Encourage them to use pedal power to get places they need to go (review your family's safety expectations and make sure they have an appropriately fitting helmet). Once they’re riding, check out the local trails and experience what the woods have to offer. Other options: get kids out on the water, (with a personal flotation device of course!) to canoe, kayak, fish, or water-ski, or take a class at a local gym or dance studio - kids could try spinning, CrossFit, hip-hop, yoga, or jazzercise!  Find something that works for your family and stick to a routine to get everyone moving and having fun!

Exercise your Brain - To encourage your child to say current with their academic skills make sure that they are reading every day!  Keeping a good book in your kid’s hands all summer doesn’t have to cost you a dime! Mrs. Hill will allow students to check books out of the CBMS library as long as they return all of the books they currently have checked out.  (A list has been emailed to them!) Additionally, the Waterbury Public Library has children’s summer programming and plenty of books to peak your child’s interest.  Try reading together and talking about the book. What’s happening? Who are the main characters?  What are the broader themes? How can you relate to what’s happening in the story? Reading frequently will help support fluency, comprehension, spelling, and writing.  

You don’t need to make summer too much like school, but do try to find fun ways to sneak in some educational opportunities.  Visit a museum, historic site, or science center. Take in a play, go to a concert, or find an art show to explore. After you visit, discuss what your kids thought was interesting, exciting, or thought-provoking.  Keeping a journal about summer adventures can help them practice writing and get them in touch with their creative side!

Find Time To Create -  Speaking of getting creative...help your child explore their artistic passions.  Get them a sketchbook and give them time and space to dream and imagine. Try painting or pastels!  Allow kids to tinker, take-a-part, or reimagine materials that they find around the house that might not be used otherwise.  Check out local craft or art centers like Seminary Arts, AC Moore or even Home Depot for crafting or building classes which have rolling sign-ups.  Get them thinking about photography, collage or scrapbooking, which are great ways to document family adventures. Want them to work on executive functioning skills around planning and preparation?  Give your child a budget and let them re-imagine their personal space. Maybe they want to paint the walls, build a loft bed, or simply create a more cozy space. Encourage them to plan it out, review it with you and then carry out their vision.  

Tackle a bigger project - Remodeling their bedrooms is only one idea of a possible big project, many other options are out there as well…have kids create a summer Brainado project.  What might they want to learn about, try, explore, research, or create? Have them make a plan, create a budget, or find a community partner to work with. Worried that they’ll fail?  Not a problem, there is learning in failure too! Other options might include having your student plan and prepare meals once a week or tackle a household project that needs attention.  Even if you aren’t ready to spring them loose to do a big job on their own, enlisting their help working with you is a valuable way for them to gain skills, stay busy, and connect with a parent.

Get Outside-  There are several proven scientific benefits of getting out in nature.  In addition to a slew of physical benefits, getting into nature can reduce stress and is linked to increased longevity and reduced risk of mental health concerns (De Vries et al. 2003, Grahn and Stigsdotter 2003).  Many suggestions previously mentioned will get your kids outside, but don’t forget to get out as a family as well. Vermont offers too many state parks and private campgrounds to mention here, but options for day hikes, picnics by the lake, overnight camping and much more are available and are reasonably priced and sometimes even free.  If you are willing to venture a little further afield, head to the White Mountains in New Hampshire or to the Ocean in Maine or other New England destinations. It’s not hard to enjoy a quick weekend as a family, and you can even ask your kids to get involved in the planning and preparation process. Have them plan the menu, make lists of necessary supplies, learn to set up a tent, or plan an overnight backpacking route.  

So get creative with your family and don’t let these months of beautiful Green Mountain weather pass you by!  The possibilities for fun, excitement, and learning are literally endless! Don’t let your kiddo get away with feeling bored this summer…because hey, there is always laundry to do!