sahps who don't do summer camps- how are you giving structure to summer days?
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Anonymous
| We plan one fun activity/outing and run one errand every day. Otherwise completely free form. |
Anonymous
I looked it up and it says it's a 36 week program. Looks like there are lessons for 5 days/wk for 36 weeks. How long is each lesson? Can you skip some? Our summer learning is focused on typing (and practicing some cursive), so finding something cohesive and progressive is crucial. |
Anonymous
I would bet that the lessons are very short, and that you could do a lesson in the a.m. and another in the p.m., or even 2 lessons back to back. |
Anonymous
| OP, your kids are 12 and 10 and not good swimmers? I would think about some swimming lessons. They should really be strong swimmers by that age, just for safety reasons. |
Anonymous
I bought Key Power + Printing Power Plus, for 2nd graders. $18.50. It includes printing review and a Kick Start Cursive book. There are many tiny units. You can stop any time. We don't do it 5 days a week. He's been doing it every 2-3 days. Sometimes he does four units. Sometimes he does eight. When he did the eight units, that took about 10 minutes. I don't know if you can skip any lessons. At this level, it's very basic. It's focused on developing keyboard familiarity, proper finger placement, etc. I'm not sure what the higher level lessons are like. |
Anonymous
+1 We are doing swim lessons most of the summer ourselves for this reason. |
Anonymous
Yes, I know. It's embarrassing. It's not that we didn't try, though. We did lessons in the summers for at least 3-4 different summers, starting at age 2. They just were super resistant and afraid. You can't force a kid to swim. We need to start lessons and just keep doing them even beyond the summer if needed, though that gets so expensive. Can anyone recommend a swim teacher who can make the lessons fun or at least tolerable for fearful older kids? I'm resigned to needing private lessons, since the group lessons don't seem to work. My kids can be very stubborn. |
Anonymous
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I'm a teacher, so I'm only doing camp for the week teacher's are back to work and kids aren't. And it sounds like my plan is similar to yours:
-Piano lessons (switched them to the morning because teacher was willing) -YMCA pool (and swimming lessons) on a regular basis -summer reading program through the library -am having my son keep a daily journal -we're following a math calendar the teacher sent home and doing spelling words (he's 6) -family vacation -play with neighbor kids -daily screen time in the afternoon so long as everything has gone well in the morning 
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Anonymous
| We have v.ery loose structure. We do a county daily swim class, one other activity (maybe two), and workbooks - Kumon or ot |
Anonymous
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I'm the PP who asked about ages. I think that code.org is a great choice for most 10 and 12 year olds. My son really enjoyed it.
My guess is that taking lessons at a public pool, either group or private, would be hard at 10 or 12, because kids would be self conscious. I know that our gym (WSC in Bethesda) offers private lessons in their indoor pool. There aren't usually any kids there other than the kids in lessons, so that might be a more comfortable setting for a preteen. Another thing that has been a hit with my kid is parkour lessons, if you're looking for variety in exercise. |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
Not every kid has the maturity to be a "strong swimmer" by the age of 10. My DD took level 1 swimming FIVE TIMES. She passed took level 2 THREE TIMES and even then wasn't truly willing to get her head fully submerged. I agree with you that everyone should know how to swim, but there is no age that everyone must master it by. You are lucky your kids were apparently ready to swim and became good at it. Dont' judge those who have a harder time with it (or their parents who try, try, try). |
Anonymous
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If you want to be sure they get exercise, how about signing up for a 5k race for August or September? Then the three of you can "train" together 3-4 mornings a week, preferably early (8 am), before it gets too hot outside.
There are lots of good iPhone apps you can use to structure your "training". The couch-to-5k apps are perfect for kids (and out of shape parents like me!) It's all planned out, using a mix of running and walking intervals. Starts VERY easy and builds slowly. Eventually, you find yourself running 30-45 minute stretches at a time without walking breaks. It's fantastic! We've found that running is a great family activity. And your kids are certainly not too young. Our DD loves running -- she started with quarter, half and mile-long kids' "fun runs" and then ran her first 5k at age 6. She ran it with a friend and absolutely loved it. Amazing for her confidence, too. |
Anonymous
There will be recommendations on the SN forum listing swim teachers who will be patient with kids. (Your kids don't have to be SN, just someone who will coach them and not make them more resistant/fearful.) |
Anonymous
Oh, thank you. That's a great idea. One of my children does seem really rigid around the concept, and I can see someone used to working with special needs kids being a good fit. Thank you to other pps too. I have found many suggestions encouraging and helpful. Except for the people who don't give any detail around the whole "I let my kids enjoy their summer" thing. What I am trying to do here is ensure my kids enjoy the summer! (despite having to take swimming lessons  )
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