Enriching Children in the Summer Months
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
If rolling out what Nat King Cole termed as those "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer" makes you sweat before the heat has even hit, a little summer planning might help. I love your children, I do. But filling those long days with enrichment and summer joy (those expectant eyes! those curious smiles wondering what the day holds!) can seem daunting.
With two children (six and three), I believe firmly in the balance between structure and enriching free time. I want my children to increase their creative independence. Environment is a big factor. From Maria Montessori to the new book Simplicity Parenting to my own experiences, here are some suggestions for summer splendor that I hope help you (and me).
CREATE A READING CORNER. Ward off the literary decline that commonly occurs during summer months. Create a corner with good lighting, books lined up for easy access, and even music. Since literacy isn't only about reading, vary daily reading time by offering books on CD, books on CD that come with a book to follow, puppets to play out stories, and paper to draw out stories they hear. Keep each day's reading time consistent, and attach a reward system ala library reading programs.
DESIGNATE PLAY AREAS. While you don't want your home to be overrun with playthings, create designated spaces for your child to play. Take, for instance, the photo here of the closet-turned-hideout, or the bottom shelf in our dining room armoire lined with open bins for easy access. The easier to get to and put away, the happier your child and you will both be. As Maria Montessori discovered, a deliberate play environment can in itself become a teacher, and can encourage independence.
CONSIDER A CHALKBOARD WALL. Hey, they're a trend for a reason. While you might not want one in your formal foyer, painting one wall in your child's bedroom or playroom or hallway can be out of the way and way fun. When the fun is over (if, if), you can easily paint back over it.
KICK YOUR KIDS OUT. Make outdoor play a part of the everyday. Help them connect with nature. Changing up environments can refresh your child's creative energies, and allow you some time for reading in that hammock. Go an extra mile and bring in a more permanent playhouse or treehouse. In this safe setting, children can get some privacy from hovering parents and engage in important pretend play. Give them outdoor projects to do: gardening, making summer lanterns out of mini flashlights and kleenex boxes on strings...
MAKE ART AVAILABLE. Whether you can carve out an entire room, or simply add an easel to the corner of the kitchen, encourage children to create. While school season provides them with art experiences, summer can be a great time to fill that void by exploring through art different worlds. For instance, this summer we'll be exploring pirates, Egypt, and castles--three of many quintessentially awesome subjects to study (and draw) with children. Don't think I'm not excited to build a pirate ship out of the Pottery Barn lamp box waiting in our garage. Land ho!
With two children (six and three), I believe firmly in the balance between structure and enriching free time. I want my children to increase their creative independence. Environment is a big factor. From Maria Montessori to the new book Simplicity Parenting to my own experiences, here are some suggestions for summer splendor that I hope help you (and me).
CREATE A READING CORNER. Ward off the literary decline that commonly occurs during summer months. Create a corner with good lighting, books lined up for easy access, and even music. Since literacy isn't only about reading, vary daily reading time by offering books on CD, books on CD that come with a book to follow, puppets to play out stories, and paper to draw out stories they hear. Keep each day's reading time consistent, and attach a reward system ala library reading programs.
DESIGNATE PLAY AREAS. While you don't want your home to be overrun with playthings, create designated spaces for your child to play. Take, for instance, the photo here of the closet-turned-hideout, or the bottom shelf in our dining room armoire lined with open bins for easy access. The easier to get to and put away, the happier your child and you will both be. As Maria Montessori discovered, a deliberate play environment can in itself become a teacher, and can encourage independence.
CONSIDER A CHALKBOARD WALL. Hey, they're a trend for a reason. While you might not want one in your formal foyer, painting one wall in your child's bedroom or playroom or hallway can be out of the way and way fun. When the fun is over (if, if), you can easily paint back over it.
KICK YOUR KIDS OUT. Make outdoor play a part of the everyday. Help them connect with nature. Changing up environments can refresh your child's creative energies, and allow you some time for reading in that hammock. Go an extra mile and bring in a more permanent playhouse or treehouse. In this safe setting, children can get some privacy from hovering parents and engage in important pretend play. Give them outdoor projects to do: gardening, making summer lanterns out of mini flashlights and kleenex boxes on strings...
MAKE ART AVAILABLE. Whether you can carve out an entire room, or simply add an easel to the corner of the kitchen, encourage children to create. While school season provides them with art experiences, summer can be a great time to fill that void by exploring through art different worlds. For instance, this summer we'll be exploring pirates, Egypt, and castles--three of many quintessentially awesome subjects to study (and draw) with children. Don't think I'm not excited to build a pirate ship out of the Pottery Barn lamp box waiting in our garage. Land ho!
by Busybee Design
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A spot like this is comfortable and inviting without losing any kind of style.
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The space can be simply a chair and a place to put feet up--and possibly snacks. The more inviting the corner, the more young readers are likely to plop down.
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Adding a reading area in a centralized location can encourage children to sit and read or draw without being forced out of family company. Though the idea can be distracting for some, such a spot can bring these activities into the everyday flow.
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by Celia James
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| Create a new and energetic space in their own bedroom for reading and playing. For teens, a traditional chair and table and good lighting is great; for children, pile pillows and line up books along a wall. Make a small couch by wedging a crib mattress with pillows into a corner. |
by ffffound.com
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Such simplicity in this whimsical space. What makes this room most unusual is the color choice for the floor.
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Children love small, secret spaces. Get an indoor tent, or carve out space in a closet.
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Allow children easy access to their toys.
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| The space doesn't have to be elaborate to feel like theirs. |
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| A chalkboard wall that doesn't overtake the room with the trend, but lets its integrate and enhance, rather than detract from, the room. |
by CWB Architects
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A houzz favorite, and with good reason. This is a room that has taken hints from classrooms and more professional settings and translated it into a home setting.
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Here a mini theater lets children put on plays. This can be imitated on a smaller scale in any home.
by Restyled Home
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Small and traditional. Forget those primary-colored plastic houses. This. is. quaint.
by Restyled Home
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And the insides can be kept nice even in rain. Some small houses can even be wired for simple electricity.
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| Paying homage to birdhouses, this little cottage fits right into its natural surroundings. |
by Kerrie L. Kelly
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For more permanent settings. My own parents built my brothers a two-story house that is Mark Twain worthy, even drawing in aduts.
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When possible, a complete room for art and projects allows children and teens (and grown ups) to create without the pressure or keeping things tidy. Close off the door and continue the next day.
by SFGIRLBYBAY
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Even a small but clearly designated space invited kids to use the computer and enjoy other desk work.
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I love the long, community work space and the simplicity of this room. Work space along a window allows for creative indoor projects without being completely isolated from summmery nature.
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