Summer Family Fun

Some of the challenges that families face in the summer are not having a huge budget to spend on things to do, meeting the needs of a variety of ages, and beating boredom.

We recommend you PLAN!  :)

• Think ahead
• Post activities on a calendar
• Plan for structured and unstructured activities daily
• Include your children in the planning
• Schedule a break in the day for everyone to relax (e.g. read or nap)

Our parent educators have compiled a summer handout.   Click on the link, save, print, share and enjoy!

Paint Brush Alternatives

Check the shelves of your local thrift shop, grocery store, or novelty store for clever alternatives to traditional art materials.  Some ideas to consider include:

Kitchen Gadgets
Bottle brushes, cookies cutters, dish scrubbers, potato mashers, rubber spatulas and wire whisks

Toiletries
Brushes, combs, cotton balls, cotton swabs, make-up sponges and roll-on deodorant bottles

Toys
Balls, interlocking blocks, marbles, rubber toys and toy cars

Summer Boredom Busters Part II

Imagination

• Plan a tea party with old tea cups and saucers.
• Provide kids with old shoes, hats and clothes to play “dress up”.
• Help children decide on theme days.  Make food and activities related to the theme.  For example, on Pyjama Day, serve breakfast foods throughout the day, and on Zoo Day, create habitats for stuffed animals and learn more about them.
• Collect teddy bears and stuffed animals for a teddy bear picnic.
• On a rainy day, break out a deck of cards, and play a game of Crazy Eights or Go Fish.  Or let your children create a new card game.
• Announce a talent show date and time.   Ask your children to prepare something for it.  Set up a stage curtain (could be an old sheet tacked up on a doorway) for their grand entrance.

Dramatic Play

 

Children’s imagination has a tremendous meaning to it.  They use their social skills to imitate others around them.  I am amazed when observing them in the playroom.  They use their creativity as a tool to role-play real-life situations, express their emotions and thoughts.  Every week we have different themes in the community playgroups such as grocery store, transportation, flower shop, ice cream shop, etc.

 

I think it is absolutely amazing how each child has their own way of playing; especially when they are not only sharing their toys, but also playing their own imaginary role.  This week is the ice-cream shop theme in the playgroup, so we set up the ice cream kit.  It was incredible to see them use visors, aprons, scoops, whipping cream and ice cream cones to serve the ice cream to the ones that were buying it.  Children want to have others to play with regardless the age of the child or adult.  Children are developing their social skills and ability to play with others while using their imagination and being creative.  What we need is to let them learn for themselves, let them learn how to get on together and open our eyes to the magnificent world seen through the imagination of children.

 

 

Kamala Azizova, Early Years Playgroup Leader

For more ideas on Dramatic Play activities, visit Kiddley.