Schools Out, But Learning Can Continue
School may be out, but remember to continue your child’s education throughout the summer.
Take time to improve your child’s reading ability and joy of reading by:
- Reading to your child at least 15 minutes a day.
- Setting a special reading time of at least 15 minutes a day for your child to read to himself/herself.
- Taking your child to the library to check out great books.
- Enrolling your child in the summer reading program at your local library.
- Subscribing to a magazine or two that interest your child.
Take time to stimulate your child’s interest in learning by:
- Planning family activities that are both educational and fun, such as trips to our local zoos and children’s museums.
- Enrolling in 4-H projects, workshops and camps.
- Playing games and doing puzzles.
- Talking with your child about subjects that interest your child, like sports, music, history, etc.
Limit television and its negative effects by:
- Deciding upon the amount of TV that can be watched.
- Setting the hours when the TV can be on or must be turned off.
- Watching TV with your child and discussing together what was watched.
Build your child’s self-esteem by:
- Making time for your child, spending time alone talking to, listening to and playing with your child.
- Having reasonable expectations for your child and helping them set “doable” goals.
- Eliminating negative and hurtful comments.
- Helping your child to deal with peer pressure.
Finally, help your child become self-disciplined by:
- Setting limits, but make only those rules that are absolutely necessary and that you will enforce.
- Giving your child responsibilities; then acknowledge and praise your child for fulfilling their duties.
- Make sure your child understands rules and allow your child to help make the rules when possible.
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