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Every parent has heard their kids say - with the incredible freedom of summer all around - "I'm bored!" You know how it works. Your children are excited about the upcoming summer as the school year comes to a close. Then, for the first week or so they are all fired up and balls of energy. Then, they run out of energy and things to do. And you hear, "I'm bored," and "What should I do?" Your summer has just turned ugly. First of all, let me say that it is easy for kids to get bored during the summer because they have so much freedom. Kids need structure in order to grow and feel fulfilled. Here's a simple 3-step process for eliminating your child's boredom during the summer months. Step 1 You should sit down with your kids and write a list of their GOALS for the summer. Setting goals is the most important step you can take to keep your child from getting bored during the summer. Ask your kid these questions (and have them write down the answers): - What new sports do you want to learn? - What new challenges do you want to tackle? - What new books do you want to read? - What new sights do you want to see? - What new skills do you want to learn? - What area(s) do you want to improve in? Step 2 Next - using the goals as your guide, you and your kid(s) should write out a week-by-week schedule of summer activities for them. (I actually recommend you have the entire summer scheduled out day-by-day.) Step 3 Then, follow the schedule. My kids have not uttered the phrase, "I'm bored," since I began this approach to their summers. They are too busy, engaged and happy to be bored! To help you get rolling, here is a list of things that your kid can do
QF Focus Magazine Never Again Hear Your Kids Say During The Summer, "I'm Bored!"
during the summer. Your kid can look over the list and choose any activities they are interested in and get started.
Things your kid can do during the summer
Attend a concert - Become an expert on something. Choose a topic you are interested in and study it a little everyday - Build a sandcastle - Check out the stars - Clean your room! - Climb a tree - Collect sea shells from the seashore - Cook something you've never cooked before - Create a family photo album of summer activities - Create a treasure hunt - Create a website - Determine 10 goals you have for your life - Donate some of the toys and clothes you no longer use - Draw a self-portrait - Email a friend you haven't spoken to in awhile - Find a new favourite author or book - Fly a kite - Go beachcombing for driftwood, shells and stones - Go birdwatching - Go camping in your backyard - Go on a walk and take pictures of trees, flowers, dogs, etc. - Go swimming - Go without email for a day - Go without TV for a day - Hang a bird feeder - Have a 'classic movie' night with friends - Have a family game night - Have a paper airplane contest - Have a picnic - Have a sleepover with your best friends - Help an elderly person with house or garden work - Host a water balloon fight - Increase your vocabulary. Learn 5 new words each day from the dictionary - Keep a journal of what you do during the Summer - Learn a foreign language - Learn a new card game and play it a lot - Learn CPR - Learn how to make balloon animals - Learn how to play chess - Learn how to sew or knit - Learn how to snorkel - Learn origami - Learn some new outdoor games - Make a time capsule and bury it in your backyard - Research your family tree - Spend time with your grandparents - Start a herb garden - Study a school subject during the Summer - Track the moon phases - Write a list of the 10 most important questions you want to ask you grandparents. Then ask them - Write a list of the 10 most important questions you want to ask your parents. Then ask them the questions.
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