| After nine months of hard work, even the mention of | | | | teaching you something for once. |
| the word school sends a shiver down kids' spines. | | | | Summer is a great time to get your kids involved in |
| Parents, on the other hand, are already looking for | | | | activities or sports, and that little bit of added structure |
| ways to prepare their children for the following | | | | can be just what they need to make the transition |
| September. So how do you stop your child's brain | | | | back into school a little easier. Physical activity, along |
| from turning to mush during summer vacation? There | | | | with a healthy diet, will keep them energized, healthy |
| are many simple creative games that can keep those | | | | and alert. |
| brain juices flowing without your children even realizing | | | | You can help your kids exercise practical math skills |
| that they are learning. | | | | by turning your pantry into a grocery store or their |
| Reading with children, whether during school or | | | | closets into a clothing store. Label each item with a |
| summer vacation, is very important, especially with | | | | price and give them a shopping list. Give them fake |
| younger children who have trouble reading on their | | | | money and help them total the cost of their purchases. |
| own. Try making a bedtime story more exciting by | | | | For older children you can even take them to a real |
| using different voices for each character. Borrow two | | | | store to practice and let them buy something with their |
| copies of the same book from the library so that your | | | | allowance. Challenge them to practice their |
| child can follow along, or even challenge your kids to | | | | percentages by shopping in stores that are having |
| act out the book as you read it aloud. | | | | sales. |
| A great way to challenge your children's creativity is | | | | Turn a family camping trip into a wild safari. Take your |
| for them to come up with their own play. They come | | | | children on an adventure hike and get them to take |
| up with the story, characters and props themselves | | | | pictures of the plants and animals they find interesting. |
| then perform it for the whole family. Taking your | | | | When you get home, you can look up the wildlife you |
| children to see a local play or musical is a good way to | | | | found on the internet to learn more about it. Get the |
| start the process. You'll be amazed at the creativity, | | | | pictures developed and make your own wildlife |
| imagination and self-confidence this activity inspires. | | | | scrapbook with information about each specimen |
| Playing board games that involve strategizing, | | | | pictured. |
| calculating or reading can be a mental workout as well | | | | Suggesting fun activities that are also chuck full of |
| as a fun way to pass a rainy afternoon. If your child is | | | | lessons is a great way for your child to make the |
| bored with the board games in your closet, let them | | | | most out of summer and be prepared for the |
| invent their own and then teach you the rules. It will | | | | upcoming school year. |
| give them a lot of confidence to know that they are | | | | |