Everyone knows that kids love to be out of school - the freedom, the beautiful weather, no homework, the ability to play all day, and nobody making them sit quietly for hours. They are never bored right? We all know that they will not admit it, but they do get bored and this is where as parents we can keep them busy and still enjoying the summer.
Try keeping the kids active this summer with the Olympics. The Olympics provide a great opportunity for the kids to learn about the world and get motivated to exercise, too. Ask them to watch some different events - maybe they may find a new sport that interests them. Swimming, diving, jousting, there are many events that are children may have never seen or really paid attention to.
Some of our kids do go into the summer coming off a challenging year. If your kids are in Grade 7 or 8 and need help with homework, you can practice over the summer on your math. Make it a challenge - offer some incentives to improve. Maybe a special movie night, walk to get some ice cream, or maybe a new song for the Ipod. Register at ontario.ca/HomeworkHelp
Teachers are available every Sunday to Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET
For those kids who are in French Immersion, the challenge can be to keep your child's French learning alive over the summer. Here are some simple ideas:
-watch French children television programming on TFO.
-go to the local library and choose a French book and/or a French Children's DVD; so many awesome titles to choose from.
-explore as parents the Canadian Parents for French website with great resources for you to use with your child. http://cpf.ca/en/resources/for-parents/
Lastly, for those who want a little downtime but somewhere to take your children, find a local 'Storytime'. This offers kids the opportunity to go out, see other children, and enjoy a story or two. It also gives Mom or Dad a much needed break, allowing you to sit and relax or interact with other adults. It is a great opportunity to get out, learn, and enjoy a great book.
