School Is Out
The school year is closing out in many states. Here in Texas, many schools have closed for the 2022-2023 school year, with a few schools left. As with any school year, it’s filled with ups and downs and families tend to find their sweet spot amidst it all. If you are one of those that your child’s school is out for the summer, kudos! You made it! The fun begins to keep your child or children productively engaged for the summer months. Helping your child stay engaged doesn’t have to be difficult. This post is to help you as a parent better navigate the summer months while giving your child lots of opportunities to learn. Just because school is out does not mean learning has to come to a halt.
Summertime
Summertime is a great time to help your child or children catch up on that difficult subject at school. It’s a time to learn something new or develop a new hobby. The summer months can lead to a slower pace that allows for complete rejuvenation. The summer days are typically filled with late-morning breakfasts, long conversations on the porch, and travel. During our homeschool and public school days, my husband and I planned fun learning opportunities for our daughters. We made sure summer learning opportunities were relaxed from the usual fast-paced school days.
Fill Up on God’s Word
Summertime is a great time for you and your child to fill up on God’s Word. Many churches have learning opportunities for students, such as vacation Bible schools, youth camps, and Bible Quizzing. Select what you believe is appropriate for your child. As a parent, you know your child/children in a way that their school teachers don’t. This is also a good time to read through the Bible using a reading plan that works best for your summer family plans. With the slower pace, you can engage in deep conversations focused on some of the selections from the Bible reading plan.
Road Trip Travels
Summertime is also a great time for traveling. Travel doesn’t have to be by air only. Load up the van and take a road trip to a place that will provide lots of learning opportunities for you and your children. For example, visit the Indian Cave State Park in Nebraska, where a small village was restored including a schoolhouse. This post’s picture shows the inside of that restored schoolhouse. We have many more states that can be great summer learning hubs for you and your family. Here in Texas, Big Bend National Park provides robust learning opportunities; such as exploring nature, hiking, scenic drives, camping, and exploring the bookstore.
A Standout Summer
If your child needs to catch up on a difficult subject, summer is a great time to help him or her by getting a tutor to work with for a few hours a day or week. This will make a huge difference when your child goes back to school for the 2023-2024 school year. Children don’t have to spend their entire summertime in front of a computer screen or TV screen. In fact, intentionally limit these screen times (computer and TV). Instead, let them have learning opportunities that will enrich their lives. Whatever you decide to do this summer, make it one that stands out in your memory bank of cherished times. Have fun. Relax a lot. Stay cool (Texans do this well during summer). Happy Summer!
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