The Kids Are Home All Summer...!
Ideas for Reading, Learning, Playing & Helping
Dear Parents,
My name is Ashley Ward, and I am the Counseling Coordinator and Crisis Counselor here in Mabank ISD. I am passionate about helping students and look forward to meeting and working with you and your children in the upcoming school year, but for now would like to share some tips to help you and your kids survive and thrive during this long and unusual summer.
Some tips from the experts include keeping to a routine, limiting screen time, maximizing outdoor time (where possible), and keeping the learning going. But how to do all that? This newsletter offers you a variety of no-cost tips and ideas for keeping kids happy, productive, learning, and doing.
Stay safe and thrive,
Ashley Ward, MS, LPC
Counseling Coordinator/Crisis Counselor
Mabank ISD
"I had the familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald
Social Emotional Development Skills to expect at different ages | Help Your Child Ease Back into School Tips for processing in- person and online learning expectations | Play Is So Important Especially in times of crisis and stress |
Reading
This article details many ideas for making reading a special, fun, and exciting family activity. It's a pre-pandemic article, so be creative in thinking about how some of the activities could work just as well on Zoom.
Learning
Ok, only virtually, at least for now. But there are so many parts of the world to explore, and a too-hot or too-rainy summer day is the perfect time for a virtual adventure. Who knows? Maybe next summer in real life!
The New York Times has created a special calendar that allows you to get in sync with the solar system. Find a spot with as little light pollution as possible, pack a snack, and watch the night sky like it's a movie.
Playing
DIY-it!
- Here's a great recipe for DIY playdough (too old for playdough? How about slime?)
- Here's an easy way to make your own bubbles and bubble wands.
- Or repurpose outgrown blue jeans into cute tote bags
- And then there's the lemonade stand... here's a great book that teaches kids (of any age) the tools and skills for managing their own business.
Helping
Are you going nuts imploring your kid to help? Or do you have toddlers and you're thinking about how to help teach them responsibility? This article that breaks down everything you need to know to get your kids helping around the house.
Volunteering at a young age is a great lesson in community and responsible citizenship. We all feel better about ourselves and our world when we give to others. Here's a simple volunteer idea that works well for kids of all ages during covid.