Summer Planning

Importance of Summer Planning

Summer is approaching, and children are ready for a much-earned break after a long school year. As children gear up for a summer with minimal academic responsibilities, parents want to plan the upcoming eight to ten weeks. Getting ahead of summer planning can be beneficial for the entire family; children can continue to grow in all areas of development and parents can be an active part of their journey. If summer time is not properly balanced between time to unwind and stimulate the mind, some young children can face up to two months of loss of learning in reading and math. Combating learning loss means to create a balance of time spent pursuing their interests and stimulating their minds.

What do I prioritize this summer?

Balance. The key to planning summer is keeping balance. Children should have time to relax, be exposed to new things, have new experiences, and develop in key areas. Summer is also an opportunity to revisit the goals that were set in January (Parenting Corner: January Edition bit.ly/pcjan2024). Consider the following questions as you plan for the summer: 

• Have I made progress to achieve my goal? 
• Did I reach my goal, and now I should think about another area in which to grow? 
• Do I want to try something new? 
• What is something I wish to achieve?

How do I plan for the summer?
Outlined below are a few guiding principles to consider when planning for a well-rounded summer: 

1) Reflect: In this part of the planning process, it is important to think about your child. Think about their strengths and areas of growth. Ask yourself, “How is my child performing academically? What are some of my child’s interests? In what areas would I like to see my child to grow?” While you are reflecting on these questions, the conversations in your mind could sound something like this:

Example: How is my child performing academically? A response to this can either be on track, off track, or I’m not sure. Here is how to address each possible answer:

• On Track: How can I challenge my child in academic areas? 

• Off Track: How can I spend time in the summer helping my child learn in areas they need support?

• I’m not sure: Ask your child’s teacher before the end of the school year for his or her insight on your child’s performance, areas to focus on, and resources they recommend

The word “academically” can be replaced by any of the following words as well: socially, in their extracurriculars, or has my child expressed interest in areas outside of school? What are they?  The same thought process can be followed. 

2) Plan: You will notice the information above is not just academically driven. It’s been emphasized before that focusing on all areas of child development can lend to a more well-rounded child. Here are the four areas you can consider planning around this summer:

1. Academic (Reading, Math, etc.)

2. Interests/passion (Extracurriculars, etc.) 

3. Social-Emotional (Mental health, etc.)

4. Faith/Ethical/Moral Development (learn Dua, read Farmans each day, etc.)

It is important to include your child in the planning process. Children participating in this conversation will be more interested in the summer plan. Having these open conversations can also deepen the connection between the child and the parent or caregiver. Once you have considered the areas to build into the summer plan, parents should consider where children need their support and guidance. You may need to provide tools or resources for children based on what is planned for the summer.

3) Execute: Build a summer schedule. Children crave structure and creating a plan can build a child’s independence. Based on your child’s age, have them create the schedule with you or have visuals to display the schedule, so your child can read it. The schedule does not need to be broken down hour by hour but rather divided into blocks of the day. Morning block and afternoon block, and the two can be divided by lunch in the middle.

This month we designed a BINGO board for children to complete over the summer! Use this as inspiration and create your own as well at home! Providing activities in this structure helps promote your child’s choice and voice.