During the summer you’ll find us sitting at the kitchen table working. Even though it’s summer vacation, my kids still have work to do. And I still have work to do even though my normal work-time during their school-time evaporates. So we work together during the summer on a very flexible schedule. The kids work on Summer Bridge Activities while I work on my blog.
We’re still doing fun summer activities like swimming and summer camps – but it’s not all play and no work for us. Their favorite activity is illustrating then writing a story. We try to pick a theme or recent event for our stories to help them get started. My kids stay motivated by earning stickers for their rewards charts. When they fill up their charts they earn a shopping trip.
I stay motivated knowing that practicing their skills over the summer will make the start of school go that much smoother. It won’t be a shock to them when they have to start doing “homework” because we’ve been doing homework all summer (and we enjoy it). It also won’t be a shock to me because I’m used to working at the table alongside them, ready to offer help or praise when needed.
How are you motivating yourself and your kids to work during the summer?
A few things I couldn’t categorize…Ramblings 4 Mom
Great ideas! So what restrictions do you put on a “shopping trip”?
Our ideal “shopping trip” is to the Dollar Store to pick out one item. Sometimes we shop at other stores but we agree before we walk in what it is we’re buying or what the dollar limit is.
You are a woman after my own heart! I’ve been doing “schoolwork” with my son every summer for years. As a result, he doesn’t struggle to learn new concepts in the fall because he’s already seen them before. He’ll be entering 4th grade this year, and so far he has never made anything but A’s on his report cards. Investing a little time in your kids really pays off. Keep up the good work!
Could you explain your sticker rewards chart? I have a 4 yr old and a 5 yr old. I am looking for ways to get them to want to behave , follow rules, & clean their room. Thanks in advance!!
We are only using the sticker rewards chart for our Summer Bridge Work. Since the boys are constantly comparing with each other (and naturally competitive) they have to earn a sticker as a “team” so that one doesn’t shoot ahead of the other. Usually they earn one sticker per worksheet – and we do several worksheets each day. They will glue together four sticker sheets (each sticker sheet holds 25 stickers) and work towards a shopping trip at Target or another store to pick something out (we discuss the limits before we walk into the store). So far they are highly motivated by the Sticker Rewards Chart so we may start using it for household chores.
Great thank you!!
My kids read books during the summer as much as possible and also use their math skills to count out plates, cups, silverware and change at the store.
I’m still trying to figure that out. It should be obvious to me that someone who is organized enough to have such a great blog is probably also organized enough to keep their kids busy doing something besides TV.
Thanks for the inspiration, and I just love “ramblings 4 mom” in general.
besides the usual swimming classes & karate. We have reading time, fun history workbooks and math games my child does over the summer break.
How old are your kids that keep things so neat? Work time at my house looks like a tornado took over the kitchen table!
My kids are 5 and 7 (and this photo is at the beginning of a “work session” – the end looks a bit different!)