Some summer structure necessary for kids

By Kim Asche
University of Minnesota Extension
Regional Office, Hutchinson
Every summer parents try to put a little structure to their children’s schedules by challenging them to set some goals for themselves. The idea is to practice simplistic goal setting with enjoyable plans in mind.

Sometimes we adults look at summer as a time for our children to reinforce skills, catch up where needed and start new endeavors. These are lovely but perhaps lofty goals for children who feel exhausted by the year and are now wanting a three-month play time. Yet other children plan to work endlessly and stockpile a lot of cash before winter.

Older children are generally equipped to make goal-orientated choices and they seem to follow through on their plans best if they’ve a hand in setting them up. Parents may want to informally help their younger children do the same.

Incorporating your family’s values into the list will give this activity a dual purpose. The following examples are ideas to get your family started. The first goal is to make these simple and fun.

A physical goal might include daily strolls with the infant or an adventure walk with the toddler or preschooler where you let the child set the pace or point the next direction to turn. Older children might choose bike riding, a lesson or sport or just a handful of sit-ups. ny step that increases activity levels and encourages health should be cheered on.

A family goal to eat a meal a day together or spend time on a family project or family meeting can improve communication and camaraderie. These goals can be more difficult to make as family members get older and busier with their own schedules. Be careful not to use “busy” as an excuse to miss out on family.

A learning goal can be just about anything. Read books to non-readers, take turns reading with older children or volunteer as a family to read to those who have trouble seeing. Take the address book on vacation so everyone can practice their writing on postcards to send back home to friends. Purchase a scrapbook to begin a library of your family travels. Pack diaries and sketch pads to draw the travel experience. Building birdhouses takes math, woodworking, planning and painting skills. Following a recipe means reading and measuring and science.

Speaking of food, some eating goals might include consuming less of a particular type of food or trying something new. Summer is a great time to experiment with fresh vegetables out of the garden. Adults, keep in mind that children will be watching so smile when you chomp down those beets. Older children might start the helpful habit of cooking one evening meal a week this summer.

Musical goals could be as simple as listening to a different type of music each day for a week or as big as learning to play a new instrument. The options in between might include going to a symphony concert or a music store to explore.

Families should review these goals from time to time and talk about them. Probably this happens more at the beginning than later into summer. There is no prize for the person who completed the most goals on their list. As a matter of fact, families usually misplace the papers by mid-August. Perhaps this year you could add an organization goal.

Source: Parent Line, North Dakota State University Extension.