With the school year ending and as you gear up for the summer break, here are a few ideas for work to continue with your primary child throughout the summer!
Give responsibilities and involve your child in everyday activities. Such as: cleaning, food preparation, laundry folding and putting away, replenishing groceries in the fridge or pantry.
Encourage independent functioning at home by having child size cleaning implements available and accessible to your child. Here is a favorite website of ours for child size kitchen, cleaning, and yard tools!
Have a few activities for your child to choose from on an accessible shelf. Keep their interest in these activities by frequently rotating new activities. Some items might be constant (like dustpans, or pencils), but others like puzzles, games, and types of paper could be rotated. Above are some examples of how a child’s shelf could be organized.
Play phonetic sound games! For reference of phonetic sounds and phonograms, please check this website out (cursive letter reference too!)
Reinforce cursive letters in writing. Children can easily trace over your cursive letters with sidewalk chalk. We start with simple strokes such as the m, n, l and e. Drawing, painting, sewing, and clay also support handwriting through strengthening fine motor skills and the connection between the hand and the mind.
Also, remember that limits and boundaries are acts of love. You can kindly, yet firmly share your thoughts and feelings with your child. For example, I am working right now and not available to talk. You can work quietly nearby with something from your shelf or you can choose to sit quietly and wait. You will know I’m ready when you receive eye contact from me and I tell you I’m ready.” Clearly communicating with your child, sets expectations. For example, “when you have eaten breakfast, then we will go to the pool.”