Setting a Summer Schedule

by Teresa McEntire | More from this Blogger

19 Jun 2006 02:26 PM

To a child summer is a time for sleeping in and lazing around. But children benefit from a schedule and summer should be no different. Summer is often the time when kids get into the most trouble because the routine of school is gone and they have a lot of free time on their hands. So what should you include in your summer schedule?

Start by deciding what you want accomplished everyday. Do you want your children to be dressed by a certain time? Will they be required to read or do some other learning activity? What chores will they have to do? Are you going to limit their time on the computer, T.V., or video game machines?

Talk to your children. Are there specific things that they want to do? Does your teenager have a summer job? Is there a skill your child wants to learn?

Are there weekly activities you want to include in your schedule? Do you want to take your children swimming? Go to the park or do a craft?

After you know what you want accomplished outline your schedule. Things to include are:

Morning routine List a certain time that your children should be out of bed and chores should be completed.

Reading time. Reading during the summer is important. Check to see if your local library has a summer reading program your child can participate in.

Media use. Schedule the amount of time your child can be on the computer, watching T.V., or playing video games.

Free time. Summer time is about play and you want to make sure that your child has plenty of time for unstructured play. Take advantage of the warm weather and send them outside.

Activities. Include any activities you want to do. Every week we go to a different park with a playgroup. Summer is also a great time to teach your child to cook, sew, build, or other skills.

Remember setting a summer schedule requires that you as a parent follow the schedule as well so don't plan anything that you aren't willing to live with.

Learn more about Teresa McEntire

Teresa McEntire grew up in Utah the oldest of four children. She currently lives in Kuna, Idaho, near Boise. She and her husband Gene have been married for almost ten years.

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