SUMMER FUN

Jinny Hopp, Human Environmental Sciences Specialist, Jasper County

During the summer months, children have lots of unstructured time and parents or grandparents may have more time with children. Adults can enhance children's development while building a store of great memories by planning fun and stimulating summer activities. Here are a few ideas that don't cost much money. The key ingredient is an adult who is willing to spend TIME with children.

~ TURN OFF THE TV, VIDEO GAMES, AND COMPUTERS! The average child spends more than 21 hours each week watching TV. Children need interactions with other people to develop social skills. Summer is a great time to "hang out" in local public parks where children can climb, slide, swim, and swing. All of these physical activities promote coordination and enhanced self-esteem. All the adult has to do is watch and talk about what the child is doing.

~ Churn up a freezer of ice cream. This is an opportunity for a science lesson. What ingredients go into ice cream? How do salt and ice make it freeze? The end result is a cool treat for a hot day. Any food preparation is a science lesson. Most children enjoy helping prepare snacks and meals.

~ Go further than food preparation. Go to production! Get the children into the garden to help see where food really comes from. It is surprising how tasty vegetables become when you grow your own.

~ Visit the library often. Reading is a life long pleasure. Libraries generally have special summer programs. This is a great way to improve skills vital to school (and life) success.

~ Use summer events as a way to teach children responsibility. Have the children plan and lead the games at a family picnic. If you want to teach a few money skills give them a budget for entertainment.

~ Have your children teach you something. This is a great way for grandparents to learn about computers. It is a great self-esteem builder when children are allowed to be the experts!

~ You can teach children something you want to pass on - recipes or a craft like knitting or woodworking.

~ Remember what you liked to do when you were a child and do some of those same activities with your own child. This is a great way to build family traditions that are passed down across generations.