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Stress Free Summer Activities
It’s summertime, school is out, and many families are at their
wit’s end about how to fill three months of their children’s free
time. Images of summertime are usually cast in a light of hot, lazy,
relaxing days by a lake, but the reality for most working families is
the struggle to balance the demands of adult work schedules with
providing safe activities for children. This dilemma often results in
hectic, stress-filled days comparable to those during the school year.
While summer camp is an option for some, the cost of day and overnight
camps can be too expensive for many families’ budgets. Structured
activities are beneficial, but parents and caregivers should also keep
in mind the advantages of unstructured time for children.
So what do we do to keep young children busy, yet also allow them to
enjoy the summer months? Whether your child is a preschooler or
school-age, a wealth of opportunities for fun, educational, and even
relaxing activities are possible. Here are some tips that may be useful
for families and caregivers:
Visit the library
Until recently, libraries offered little or nothing for children
below the age of three, but in the past few years, many have introduced
programs for toddlers. Children and adults can participate in activities
that may include reading aloud, storytelling, fingerplays, rhymes, and
songs. Preschoolers usually enjoy the group activities offered by
libraries, where they can participate in puppet shows and arts and
crafts activities. For elementary school children, there are variations
of the read-alouds and storytelling hours that often include discussions
and presentations by the children themselves, as well as summer reading
programs. Many public libraries also offer training courses for children
in using different software or educational programs.
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Discover geography
What makes a place special? What are the physical characteristics of
your hometown? Take children for a walk around your neighborhood and
look at what makes it unique. Point out how it is similar to other
places you have been and how it is different. If you live near a park, a
lake, a river, a stream or a creek, take your children there and spend
time talking about its uses. Read stories about distant places with
children or sing songs to teach geography, for example "Home on the
Range" or "California, Here I Come." Make a wish list of
places you would like to visit with your child. Look them up on a map
and plan a trip there--real or pretend.
View and create collections
Go to a children’s museum to view hands-on exhibits or suggest that
your children start a "collection" and build their own museum.
They can collect natural materials, such as acorns and leaves from a
local park or sea shells from the beach.
Nature’s best
Older children can learn about weather by using a map to look up the
temperature of cities around the world and discovering how hot each gets
in the summer. Watch cloud formations and imagine. Do the shapes look
like horses, ducks or other animals?
At night, children can collect fireflies in jars, or depending on
their age, camp out in a tent in the back yard. Create a treasure map
for children to find hidden treats in the yard. Read about your state
bird and state flower, and if possible, bicycle ride to a nearby park to
find them.
Use community resources
Watch for special events, such as free outdoor music festivals or
concerts. Many communities host evening concerts in local parks--pack a
picnic dinner and enjoy time with your family. People are resources
too--collectors, painters, and backyard naturalists may live in your
neighborhood, eager to share their knowledge with children.
Rainy day activities
Summertime often brings thunder clouds. On days when outdoor
activities are not possible, you can share family history and photos
with your children. Pull out the old videotapes of past family
gatherings and events. Prepare an indoor picnic with your child or cook
dinner together.
Whatever the activity, children can enjoy and appreciate the summer
months in ways that are both educational and stress-reducing for all
involved.
Credits
National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036-1426
Phone: 202-232-8777; 800-424-2460
FAX: 202-328-1846
E-mail: pubaff@naeyc.org
Web: http://www.naeyc.org/
Copyright © 1997 by National Association for the Education of Young
Children.
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