The fad of adopting a “slow summer” or “90’s summer” is something my family has whole heartedly embraced. As the warm days of summer approach, it seems like the events, activities, trips, and calendar demands also heat up. For us as parents of young children, we realized that all of the hustle and bustle wasn’t really enjoyable, and it definitely wasn’t what our highly sensitive kiddo needed. What we all needed, and wanted, was a slow summer with time to explore, daydream, and most important – PLAY. Here’s how we’re attempting to craft a summer schedule that embraces a slower pace while maximizing childhood development opportunities.
Setting the Scene for a Slow Summer:
Summer is the perfect time to step back from the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life and create moments of connection and exploration with your young children. Embracing a slower schedule doesn’t mean boredom (although we don’t mind a little boredom!); instead, it invites opportunities for creativity, learning, and relaxation. We’ve started to say no a little more to leave time for home play. No, we don’t need to go to the amusement park for the third time this week. No, the over crowded splash pad isn’t calling our name again. No, we don’t need to have something on the schedule every day and night of the week.
Morning Rituals:
1. Outdoor Exploration:
– Start your mornings with a nature walk in a nearby park or simply explore your backyard. Encourage your children to observe plants, insects, and birds. This fosters curiosity about the natural world and develops their sensory skills.
2. Creative Playtime:
– Set aside time for unstructured play with toys like building blocks, dolls, or art supplies. This type of play encourages imagination, problem-solving, and social skills as children engage in pretend play or collaborate on creative projects. We try to do this outside as much as possible in the summer.
Midday Adventures:
3. Cooking Together:
– Involve your kids in simple cooking or baking activities, like our easy blueberry muffins. Let them measure ingredients, mix batter, or decorate cookies. Cooking not only teaches practical skills but also reinforces math concepts and promotes sensory exploration.
4. Water Play:
– Beat the heat with water play activities such as sprinklers, kiddie pools, or water tables. Playing with water enhances motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and physical development while offering a refreshing break on hot days.
Afternoon Relaxation:
5. Quiet Reading Time:
– Dedicate quiet time in the afternoon for reading books together. Choose a cozy spot indoors or create a shaded reading nook outdoors. Reading aloud promotes language development, expands vocabulary, and sparks imagination. For the youngest in the family, this is nap time. On days when I really need to get things done, I love the toniebox or audiobooks on the echo dot as a way to let them relax their bodies and use their imagination while I tend to other things.
6. Arts and Crafts or Sensory Development:
– Engage in arts and crafts projects using materials like colored paper, glue, scissors, and markers. Crafting stimulates creativity, fine motor skills, and cognitive development as children plan and execute their artistic ideas. Check out some of our other ideas on sensory activities for kids, like oobleck, playdough, ice cube paint, or chalk paint.
Evening Wind-Down:
7. Family Games or Puzzles:
– Spend quality time as a family playing board games, puzzles, or outdoor games like tag or hide-and-seek. These activities promote social skills, turn-taking, and teamwork while creating lasting memories.
8. Reflection and Gratitude:
– Before bedtime, encourage your children to reflect on their day and share what they are grateful for. This practice nurtures emotional intelligence, empathy, and a positive mindset. We love this conversation as an end to the day. If your kids are anything like mine though, be prepared for what they’re grateful for to be ice cream 5/7 days a week, no matter what the last day you had ice cream was.
Benefits of a Slow Summer Schedule:
– Holistic Development: A slower summer schedule allows children to explore different aspects of development—physical, cognitive, emotional, and social—through varied activities and experiences.
– Bonding Opportunities: Spending quality time together strengthens family bonds and creates a supportive environment where children feel valued and loved.
– Creativity and Imagination: Unstructured play and creative activities stimulate imagination and innovation, essential skills for problem-solving and future success.
– Nature Connection: Exploring outdoors fosters a love for nature, environmental awareness, and a sense of wonder about the world around them.
Embracing a slow summer with young children is about savoring the simple joys of childhood while nurturing their growth and development. By crafting a schedule that balances exploration, creativity, and relaxation, you create a nurturing environment where your children can thrive. Enjoy the slower pace, make memories together, and cherish the moments of connection during this special season. Happy summer!