Ah, summer! After such an unsettled year with so many changes and new routines, it feels great to NOT be on a schedule, right? Or does it? A summer schedule for kids can be so beneficial: the structure of a summer schedule helps kids feel secure, gives them boundaries, and increases productivity for you, too. Here’s how to start.
Create a morning routine
Your morning routine for your kids should include a wake-up time (yes, even in summer) and expectations regarding when it’s okay to disturb you, the parent. Older kids can have longer ‘free time’ after their wake-up time, and younger kids will need a shorter ‘leash’.
Tip: if you child can tell time, laminate a sign for their room that designates what time they can get up. For instance: when the big hand is on the 6 and the little hand is on the 7, it’s time! (I know, I’m dreaming if I think my small child will sleep in until 7:30!)
Example of a morning routine:
- 6:30 am: wake up and play quietly in your room (set a boundary)
- 7 am: Alarm clock will go off, letting you know it’s okay to come out.
- 7:30 am: Breakfast
- 8 am: Get dressed and brush teeth
- 8:30 am: Reading time or quiet TV time
- 9 am: Morning activity or outing
Start gradual
A summer schedule for kids should be eased into. Most likely, activities and events will begin to keep your family out later in the evenings, and therefore, a later wake-up time may be necessary for kids. Start gradual: allow kids to go to bed 15 minutes later each evening until you’re at the desired time, and do the same for the morning, asking them to stay in bed 5-15 minutes longer each day until you’ve found a good compromise.
Add in independent time
Summer includes lots of family time, but kids are not used to spending so much quality time with their siblings…or even with you or their other parent. Build-in some alone time each day to your child’s summer schedule, whether that entails reading time, quiet play, art or craft time, or, for older kids, alone time outdoors (shooting hoops in the driveway or riding their bike).
Don’t forget about enrichment and learning
The last thing we need is for our kids to get behind in school, and this easily happens in summer. Yes, we all want a break from the homework tedium, but picking up one or two summer enrichment workbooks in subjects your child is at risk of slipping behind in can be a great idea. Make it fun by joining a reading program at the local library if your child needs more reading practice, or by playing math games online together. Keep enrichment time at a minimum per day, but be consistent.
Create a daily reward system for chores or tasks
Whether your child’s daily routine includes household chores or their own independent time, reading, or worksheets, pick a reward system that works for them. Download our reward chart pictured below!
Involve kids in planning family fun
Have regular family meetings that are all about fun! Plan weekly outings (good ideas include farmers markets, craft fairs, and local hikes or bike paths) and longer holidays or vacations as a family. Allow kids to ‘vote’ on choices for vacations or family outings, or let kids in the family alternate weeks, where they get to pick the morning outing.
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