Worried about the dreaded Summer Slide impacting your kids this summer. These seven tips will prepare you to plan an educational yet fun Summer for your kids.
The percentage of children aged six to 12 who were physically active three or more times a week had its biggest drop in five years and is now under 25%, according to new data.
With the laziest time of year for kids (summer break) upon us, have you thought about how your kids will stay busy as the temperatures go up?
There are an estimated 15 million summer-time latchkey kids (ages 5-12 who stay home alone) in the U.S. and you’d think that these kids would naturally be drawn to visiting the local pool or running around outside with friends.
To help combat this problem, just about every professional sports organization has launched a campaign to promote healthy kids. But what if you can’t connect with one of them or live in an area where these programs don’t exist?
Gregg Murset, CEO of BusyKid, recommends that parents take control of the situation and use these tips to put a plan in place that will keep kids active all summer long, make things easier on parents and cut down on that phrase parents dread to hear, “I’m bored.”
7 WAYS TO PREVENT SUMMER SLIDE
1. Communicate Your Expectations
Sit down with you kids and lay out a plan, as well as, what you expect. Clearly older kids will have more responsibility but that doesn’t mean the little ones get off easy.
Read: Make a Summer Routine
2. Schools Out For Summer, No Laying Around
Kids need to be active everyday, so don’t leave home projects, chores or personal activities for the weekends. Make sure there are a handful of projects to be completed everyday, including ones that help you like fixing dinner, doing dishes or laundry.
Read: Chores for Kids, By Age
3. Build a “Busy Calendar” For The Kids
Use a tool like BusyKid that can be your “Busy Calendar.” Each day, kids can see what needs to be done and can click projects/activities one at a time. This will help teach them responsibility, accountability and time management.
Read: 6 Things You Should Automate to Free Up Your Time
4. Assign By Strengths
Different kids are good at different things. Maybe one of your kids hates doing things outside. Maybe another loves the sunshine and fresh air. Besides assigning things by age, look at what they like doing and build the calendar from there.
Read: How to Give Your Child Inner Strength
5. Find Balance
Make sure the “Busy Calendar” has a good balance of chores and fun. For every hour of chores, try to have one hour of another activity where your kids can enjoy themselves. After all, it’s their summer too.
Read: What to Do When Kids Say “I’m bored”
6. Step It Off
If your child has a mobile phone, chances are it comes with a health app that can count steps. If it doesn’t, there are plenty available. Add one and have a weekly contest to see who puts in the most miles.
Read: Easy Ways to Fit in Exercise
7. Reward Success
If all goes according to your plan, your kids will be moving around a bunch this summer and plenty of projects will be done. Make sure to reward them for working hard or staying with the plan. Paying an allowance is a great way to reward your kids and using BusyKid will help them learn how to save, spend and invest it wisely.
Read: 10 Insanely Fun Games to Play in the Dark
What do you do to prevent Summer Slide?
More Summer Slide Prevention Tips:
- Summer Reading List: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
- Summer Reading List: 3rd – 5th Grade
- Summer Reading List: 6th – 8th Grade
- 5 Timely Tips for Managing Kids’ Tech Time in the Summer
- Ultimate Guide For Fun Activities That Will Keep Your Kids Busy
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