Summer "Brain Drain"

Summer break is 13 days away...that's right, 13 days! Do you have a plan? I am always in a panic by now but the summer flies by and before I know it there are things I wanted to do with the kids I never got to! I have to admit, this year I am calmer about the summer break...or maybe it just hasn't sunk it yet!
Camps, swimming at the pool, and playdates keep the kids entertained but what about keeping that brain sharp?
Mom blogger and former teacher at www.StudentsFirstResources.blogspot.com  has great suggestions in her post "How to Keep Their Brains from Melting in the Hot Summer Sun". Here are a few suggestions from her blog as well as a few more I came across! 

• Visit museums! She mentions one of Cobb Tots & Kids favorite places: Tellus Science Museum. This is about a 30-45 min easy drive north on I-75 in Cartersville. This place is truly a hidden "gem" - check it out this summer.
• Visit the Library! Cobb Tots & Kids got a sneak peek at their summer programs and all we can say is WOW, it's going to be one fun summer. But even when there isn't anything special going on, it's just a "cool" place to hang out. Most children's areas have puzzles or blocks and let your kids "roam" the stacks to make their selections.
• Get creative! Student's First Resources offers up ideas on reusing fast food paper bags and milk cartons. There are tons of kid craft websites now or you can check out “Let’s Get Crafty” on our website for ideas. At my own house, I have a tote with typical craft supplies and I throw in toilet paper tubes, empty yogurt containers, milk cartons, yarn, etc. I let my kids have at it (I keep the paint and glitter out of reach for supervised projects!!) Not only do they come up with some very interesting creations, it keeps them busy on their own!
• Talk to your kids! Use those everyday activities to talk and teach. Cook with your kids, talk about different foods in the grocery store, help them count the money in their piggy banks, discuss interesting or funny things that happen in TV shows or movies they watch, talk about the plants and flowers in your yard or at the local park.  Play rhyming games, make up funny poems about your day. Going on a trip? Let your kids help you research the area...online or check out travel books, use google earth or a map website.
• Keep Writing! Encourage kids of all ages to keep a  “journal” or “summer diary” throughout the summer. Even preschoolers can draw pictures of what they did with one or two words about the picture. Or you can write a simple sentence for them and then have them trace the letters. Write a funny poem about what your family did that day or over the weekend. Write "snail-mail" letters to classmates  - who doesn't love to get mail?
•  In doing research for this post I came across Sylvan Learning Centers website. Under "Parent Resources" found free worksheets for each grade level and a downloadable free Math Activity Booklet. I can still get away with playing "school" with my 5 and 6 yr old so I sneak in those worksheets! Sylvan is having a summer "Just a Page-a-Day" Contest so be sure check that out on their website. Student's First Resources does warn not to overdo it with the worksheets...you don't want your child to get burned out on paper/pencil activities - good point! Go easy on them.

So this summer...keep it fun but keep them smart!

**Please visit www.studentsfirstresources.blogspot.com for more great ideas on teaching kids, homework helpers, & resources! (check out her March 17th post about paper bag puppet story starters...LOVE IT)