5 Ways to have a great summer

June 16, 2022

With the school semester coming to an end. We hope your child ended the semester on a high note and they are satisfied with their grades! I'm sure they are looking forward to having a summer filled with fun and more importantly, no school. However, we can't let all that hard work go to waste. (research article on kids losing brain cells/info during the summer). 

I. Get a job!

I'm sure some of your kids are at an age, where they want to be independent and buy their own things. I'm also positive that you may be tired of them always asking for money relentlessly. If you're kid is old enough, we'd advise them to get a job, even if it's just for the summer. A job will teach them a sense of responsibility, but also reinforce time management and money habits. Not to mention, it will introduce some soft skills that they will need on the job, but also in life. 

II. Read daily

We can't stress enough how important reading is for a student's mind, but especially during the summer when they are not actively in school. We'd advise to have them start off reading two books a month, 20 pages a day. This would not be too difficult, as the average book is 200 pages. We'd recommend them reading about things that they are curious about and indulge in a wide variety of authors. (Check out our Instagram/Facebook for our summer reading list). These include topics that range from world history and ancient civilizations to self-help books and fiction. The broader the better. Not only will this help expand their vocabulary and knowledge. It will help develop them into a well-rounded individual who can indulge in a wide range of topics. Thus, increasing their confidence as well. 

III. Stay Active 

This may be hard, especially when dealing with a generation that is raised on the Iphone and now Tik Tok. Kids and Teens that are active will not only reduce depression but increase their mental health and overall mood (Larcom, 2018). A U.S. study in Canada showed that " Regular vigorous exercise was also linked to 25% lower odds of having depression or anxiety over the next five years" (Monroe, 2018). Moreover, have your child start a new sport  during the summer or sign them up for a gym, if they are of age. 

This is a great way for your child to stay active and function in a healthy state of mind. Not to mention they can make new friends. There's tons of summer camps and clubs that occur that your child can join. Most of them last the entire day, which allow you flexibility to work and do other parent-like duties. Limiting their use of social media and electronics is also essential as that can be damaging to their brain and dopamine receptors. (Insert 2 article on kids that play too much video games). 

IV. Volunteer in your community

There are plenty of volunteer opportunities to do in Forsyth County (insert article about volunteer opportunities). that both you and your child can participate in. If you're child is in middle/high school, this would be a great way for them to get involved in their community and build relationships with them as well. This will also develop their social skills and is also a requirement for graduating High School. In addition, giving back to the community is a charitable and honorable act that should not be taken lightly.

V. Take the SAT

Now out of all the tips we gave, this one does not sound the most exciting, we will admit. But, this is the greatest opportunity to complete the SAT so it is one less thing to worry about during the school year. We recommend you sign up your child for an SAT prep course, something we also offer ( https://tutorme.today/schedule-an-appointment ). Some schools are implementing the SAT as optional, but check out the University admission requirements for more information. 

Hopefully these tips have been helpful and you decide to implement at least one in your child's life as we are sure it will improve their lives. We only get one summer, so why not make it the most productive and fun? 

By: Malique Joseph 

References

• Larson, Alexandra."3 Reasons Kids and Teens Should Be Active This Summer" (2018). 

• Monroe Jr, James. "Get Moving: The Benefits of Exercise for Teen Mental Health"(2018).