For most kids, the first half of summer holidays flies by with family vacations, camp, visitors and time for themselves. The last month of summer is a great time to do fun things that might also include learning opportunities.
Educators recognize that children lose some reading and math skills during the summer. Health experts recognize that developing food preparation skills increases the potential for a healthier diet.
Children who are introduced to planning, saving, budgeting and financial record keeping often have better money management skills as adults.
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I watch my son measuring flour and levelling it off with a knife while making biscuits with his daughter or my daughter sewing diapers in advance of the birth of her child or my son entering his family’s expenses into a computer accounting program. I realize that each of these skills was introduced during summer holidays.
One year, we made tie dye T-shirts and shorts. They learned to measure and cut out the material, read a pattern, follow the instructions, use a sewing machine and serger and dye.
Other larger summer projects included building and renovation projects. They helped our kids develop building and home repair skills as well as an appreciation for the work required to maintain a home.
The year our boys started earning money through a paper route, we decided that they should track their bank accounts with the family’s computer accounting program. They became familiar with the program and brought their bank account activity up to date.
Their skills developed further during their college years as they tracked their summer earnings and university expenses.
ACTIVITY IDEAS
When looking for things to do, the activity needs to be relevant and interesting to the kids.
Larger projects include building a fort or soapbox racer, designing and sewing a princess dress or making a quilt. Adults and kids of all ages are discovering that knitting and crocheting are relaxing and creative activities.
Exploring nature in the yard also provides learning opportunities. Library or computer research on the types of birds, insects or plants might spark an interest. Other children may have more of an interest in things that are mechanical or artistic.
Don’t forget the importance of doing sports like throwing the football, spending the day fishing or going for a bike ride. A part of each day during the summer should include physical activities to keep your child fit.
The more a young person reads, the easier it will become. Encourage an interest in reading books linked to recent movie or TV series or featuring adventure, music, fantasy, computers or cars. Reading books or the newspaper out loud to your children at any age may increase their interest in reading.
Teach them a skill or hobby of yours or learn a new skill together. It’s a great way to increase their self-esteem and confidence.
As fall approaches, school supply and clothes shopping will be necessary. Why not suggest they do some flyer shopping to check out the prices of items they want?
Let them know how much money would be available for the purchases. This can be a good budgeting exercise. They will become more aware of the cost of items and how to prioritize purchases to stay within the amount of money available.
- www.perthunionlibrary.ca
- familyfun.go.com
- www.kraftcanada.com
- www.robinhood.ca/baking-with-kids
Spending time doing an activity with your child helps to build your relationship with that child. A stronger relationship developed during fun activities will make it easier to deal with more serious issues later on.
Keeping kids busy will keep them active and out of trouble.
Take a break from your activities and invite your children to help you make this appetizing and nutritious lunch. This recipe could also be a school lunch.
If they find a recipe that appeals to them, they are more apt to eat it.
KID FAVOURITE TUNA POCKET
- 1/2 c. coleslaw blend, 125 mL
- cabbage slaw mix
- 1/3 c. seedless red 75 mL
- grapes, halved
- 1/2 c. flaked canned tuna 125 mL
- in water, drained
- 2 tbsp. ranch dressing
- 1/2 whole wheat pita bread
- leaf lettuce
- Combine the coleslaw, grapes, tuna and dressing. Open the pita and fill with the leaf lettuce and tuna mixture. Serve with fresh vegetables and fruit and a glass of milk.
- Other options would be to substitute the tuna with chopped cooked chicken or drained salmon.
- Adapted from www.kraftcanada.com.
Correction: In the July 12 TEAM column on page 21, the recipe instructions for lemon raspberry pie should read: Add lemonade concentrate until thoroughly combined, then add jelly.
