As the summer months start to wind down and summer is coming to a close, the bucket list of ideas is starting to dwindle and the pressure of the start of school is setting in. I get it. I try to squeeze anything out of every second of the day…knowing it will soon come to an end. As the time draws near for school shopping and getting back into a routine, here are a few more ideas to entertain the kids these last few weeks.
Sitting a toddler down to discuss colors or shapes, manners or letters is just not something that makes sense nor would they sit long enough to hear what you have to share with them. It would be a developmentally inappropriate task and failure would make you feel defeated. But, we all have that desire for our children to learn, to learn well, and to excel. That is why I have made it easy for you.
I get it…
the kids are home from school for spring break, the littles are excited to have the bigger kiddos home, and chaos seems inevitable. You scurry to the arts and crafts cabinet only to sigh with disbelief that you can’t think of a single thing to “create” or a single place to go. You want to make memories during this time but also want to stay within a tight budget. Spring break can be downright nerve-wracking and can bring a lot of pressure to keep things busy and fun.
If you live where snow covers the ground in the winter months, you can start to feel a little bit stuck in house…AKA…Cabin Fever. I know for me, not being able to let the kids run and play outside because of freezing conditions is not always rainbows and butterflies. I have resorted to being creative on these days and thought maybe I would share some fun things you, too, can do with your littles when the weather seems to hold you in.
Routine…ahhhh…what every kid thrives on. In fact, when we are out of routine, my life feels like utter chaos and I end up a grumpy mess. Some families find comfort when school starts because life has a flow again where over the summer it was more of a stagnant pond (or better yet, crazy hurricane). It is true, kids do better all around when there is some sort of routine to follow. Think about it, the first week of school is all about learning the classroom routine and procedures on how to do things. Why do teachers take the time to do that? It’s because they are setting their year up for success. When kids know what to expect and how to navigate their day, there tends to be less behavioral issues, less chaos in the classroom and less overall misuse of time.
As a former teacher, I heard it from parents time and time again…”Why is my child failing or not doing well in (insert subject)?”
My response was always the same…”What have you been doing at home to reinforce what is being taught in school?”
Going on vacation during Spring Break can be what’s on everyone’s minds…but what if it just isn’t in the budget? Or what if you have a 4 month old at home and even thinking about traveling and staying in a hotel…dragging TONS of baby gear, working around naptimes, etc. just doesn’t sound enticing (Ahem…this couldn’t possibly be us right now-LOL)? What is a family to do?
In comes the art of the ‘Stay’cation!
Lately all I have been hearing about is this “new” concept of STEM that involves kids’ and their learning.
So what is STEM?
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math and is hands-on learning that applies to the world around us. STEM builds and teaches creativity, problem solving, life skills, ingenuity, resourcefulness, patience and curiosity. STEM is what shapes the future as our world grows and changes. STEM is everywhere and in everything we do and how we live. From the natural world around us to the tablets in our hands that show us the world far, far away. STEM builds inventors!
Wow…so that is A LOT of good piled into one little acronym right?!?
For most (If you haven’t already returned to school), It’s that time of the year when schools are getting ready to re-open and begin the new academic session. While all will make a fuss about going back to the school routine, it is this same school routine that gives kids the much needed focus and stability we all long for. So how do we go about preparing for this return?
Oh the day is coming and I am DREADing dropping off my sweet, innocent little girl to school for kindergarten. I’m sure I am not the only parent out there who is feeling the heavy stomach and realizing the day is coming faster than I can blink! 3 weeks…that is it! My baby will be leaving my care that she has gotten for the last 5.5 years of her life and someone else besides myself will be teaching her…YIKES! Having previously taught kindergarten for 4 years, I know all too well the first day jitters parents show…and now I will be on the other side of the door with those same jitters I witnessed other parents express just 7 short years ago.
So how does one mentally prepare for such a “drop off?” I want to express what I have done to prepare myself and my daughter for the day she will walk into the care of someone else and learn by the teachings of another woman. (I am sure you can sense how difficult this is for me…it is my first baby and I can’t imagine my days without her next year).