Keep your child’s brain active this summer with these fun family activities
Summer is here which means school is out and it is time for fun in the sun! I love the Chicago summer because I get to spend more time with my daughter playing outside, going to the pool, watching her horse jumping practices, or just having a relaxing movie and ice cream night. This time away from school is precious bonding time that I do not take for granted.
At the same time, it is important to me that my daughter does not experience “brain drain” and forget all the valuable skills and knowledge she learned throughout the school year once summer rolls around. Several years of learning loss can lead to students performing below their grade level. That is why it is important for kids to still engage their brains and incorporate learning exercises into their fun in the summer sun.
Here a few ideas of activities to try with your kids this summer to avoid learning loss and “brain drain” after the school year comes to a close but still have family fun:
Learn an instrument
The summer is a great time to do the things you wouldn’t normally have the time for, like learning a new instrument! This is also a great way to encourage brain activity and various studies have indicated a strong correlation between music training and brain development. Taking the summer to learn an instrument is also a great opportunity for your child to discover what they may be passionate about. I played the flute from elementary through high school, and loved it!
Keep a daily journal
Keeping a daily journal is a great way to keep your child’s brain active and improve their writing skills. Schedule 20 minutes before bed to set aside for your children to write about whatever topic they wish in order to encourage creativity and reflect on their day.
Play board games
Make it family game night with a board game! Most board games are a great way to engage your child’s brain and critical thinking skills, and you can even take it a step further if you would like by adding an educational game to the mix.
Make a trip to the library
A classic way to keep the brain active is joining a book club or summer reading program. Make a family trip to the library every few weeks to pick out a book your child may want to read for fun, or is assigned to read for the upcoming school year. The library also often offers a variety of other activities such as crafting classes, science demonstrations, puppet shows and musical performances.
Play a sport
Another great way to exercise the mind is to involve your child in summer sports. Studies have proven sports to be beneficial in exercising a person’s critical thinking and decision making functions, while also providing a great opportunity to engage in team building skills and responsibilities. Take a swim or dance class, or possibly even learn to horse ride!
Get a great night’s sleep!
Lack of sleep has been linked to memory loss and lack of focus. Prioritizing a healthy night’s sleep and maintaining a regular sleep schedule even in the summer and on the weekends is key to healthy overall wellness for children of all ages. Try adding the Stay Fresh Pillow Insert from Pottery Barn Teen to your child’s sleep environment for the best quality of sleep so your kids can wake up feeling rested and ready to learn and play. I designed this pillow with two useful performance qualities - resistance to body and allergen driven odors! Your kid’s pillows will stay fresher longer! These pillows are super snuggly,
About Inventive Sleep® by Tracy Miller
Tracy Miller is a trusted inventor and innovator of dynamic, technology driven, and comfortable products for the home, and founder of Inventive Sleep™. Her engaging brands are found in millions of homes and hotels across the country. As a Sleep Products Innovator, Tracy is dedicated to helping people realize their dreams and goals starting with a great night’s sleep. Her reputation for combining proven and modern materials in everyday products including sheets, pillows, comforters, blankets and mattress pads, adds exciting new comfort and performance qualities consumers love to incorporate into their homes. Tracy is also the author of the weekly sleep blog Sleep Secrets and Inspirations. In it, she shares her expertise on materials research and design, and demystifies the sleep experience with an informative and fun-filled conversation on how sleep helps people with daily living, as well as some of her tips and tricks on picking your favorite products. For more information, visit www.inventivesleep.com. Sleep Tonight. Create Tomorrow.™
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