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Get four checked Northern Virginia weekend outing plans, organized for ages 0-1, 1-3, 4-6, and 7-10, with a practical backup in every section.

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Resources from FCPS and community partners to help you have a fun, safe, and healthy summer.

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Actividades de verano para niños en edad preescolar GRATUITAS y FÁCILES

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Actividades de verano para niños en edad preescolar GRATUITAS y FÁCILES

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Early Childhood-2025 Summer Activities Calendar

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Early Childhood-2025 Summer Activities Calendar

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Summer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thrive

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Summer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thrive

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Summer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thriveSummer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thrive

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Summer break. Some families love it. Others dread it. No matter how you feel about summer, we've got hacks to help your family thrive.

In this episode, hosts Gretchen Vierstra and Rachel Bozek talk all things summer with psychologist and Understood expert Dr. Andrew Kahn. Andy shares what can make summer easier than the school year for kids who learn and think differently - and what might make it harder.

Tune in for tips on screen time, sleep, summer camp, travel, and more. Plus, learn ways to give kids the structure that many of them need over summer vacation without it feeling like a burden.

Related resources

Episode transcript

Gretchen: From the Understood Podcast Network, this is "In It," a podcast about the ins and outs...

Rachel: ...the ups and downs...

Gretchen: ...of supporting kids who learn and think differently. I'm Gretchen Vierstra, a former classroom teacher and an editor here at Understood.

Rachel: And I'm Rachel Bozek, a writer and editor raising two kids with ADHD. Today, we're here to provide a public service by pulling together as many tips and hacks as we can to help you and your kids have the best summer possible.

Gretchen: Joining us for this ambitious mission is our very own Andy Kahn. Andy is a licensed psychologist and the associate director of behavior change and expertise here at Understood. Andy, welcome back to "In It."

Rachel: Welcome back.

Andy: Thanks, guys. Thanks for having me.

Gretchen: We are so happy to have you here today. But before we start with you, Andy, I actually have a question for you, Rachel.

Rachel: Oh, yeah?

Gretchen: Yes. As a mom to two kids who learn and think differently, what comes to mind when you think about the long summer vacation that is fast approaching? Are you like, "Woohoo, summer!" Or is it more like, "Ugh, summer"?

Rachel: Those are my choices?

Gretchen: Yes, those are your choices.

Rachel: So, it's a little bit of both because, of course, it's really nice to have a break from a lot of the things that just make the school year tough for everybody - homework and just kind of like the tight schedules. But also, the summer has its own kind of schedule, especially when there are camps involved. And so, there still is a wake-up time and there's still a get-out-the-door time.

And also, for all of us working parents, there are still like, we need our kids to be doing some stuff while we're working. And also, because I can't have just like screen camp.

Gretchen: Yes, I'm pretty sure a lot of times I had TV camp when I was little. I went to TV camp.

Rachel: Yeah, I went to TV camp.

Gretchen: Andy, did you go to TV camp?

Andy: I did not. I went to get out on the street and play until it gets dark camp.

Gretchen: Yeah, I did that, too. I would say it was a mix, right? It was a mix of roaming the neighborhood and then a little bit of TV camp.

Rachel: All right, so, Andy, stepping back a bit, maybe you can talk to us a little bit about what might make summertime easier than the regular school year and what might make it harder for families with kids who learn and think differently.

Andy: Summertime, you know, summertime is that double-edged sword, right? We all look forward to it. There are things that we don't have to do anymore that seem awfully cool and longer days, relaxing structure, fewer transitions relating to school. But those of us who are parents can all say, I know what August feels like and thinking "I'm ready to bring my children back to school." Right? So, I think so much of it is we think about the break from the academic demands, and the stressors is a really big deal for kids with learning and thinking differences. And it's a good relief to be away from that because it can be such an impact to kids' self-esteem.

And the thing about having the summertime is, is giving them more time to play, to engage in activities that are more their home base. And I think that's one of the best things about summer for kids. At the same time, the things that make it great are also the things that make it hard. We rely on the structures that schools artificially provide us to structure our day, and that's a lot of months of the year where we sort of live our lives around those markings in the day. And I think that the loss of structure is probably one of the toughest parts about this.

You know, it's tremendous amounts of transition stressors from the doing the things I like, to doing the things I don't want to do, in a structure where the parents don't necessarily feel all that powerful because the first thing we want to do as parents when summertime hits is to say," Go, enjoy, step away," and we let it all go. And I think that's where the first trap lies, is that if we don't have good expectations, you know, those who fail to plan, plan to fail, right? That's the sort of idea here.

Gretchen: So, now if we want to provide a little bit of structure to our summer, what are some little tweaks that we could make to add some structure to a day?

Andy: So, the thing to keep in mind is that - and I hear this in your tone a little bit, Gretchen - that when we get to freedom, the word structure feels like a dirty word. It feels like, "Oh, gosh." Like structure is not constraints, OK? It's not, you're not tethering your child to the porch. You're not locking them in a space, OK? Structure is about creating protective walls around your environment, your child, and don't forget, your sanity.

So, having structures like keeping your, like, your mealtimes for breakfast and dinners as close to on some reasonable schedule to keep you feeling sane. Having structures around chores and hygiene. Because the first thing that goes with these kids is we lose our bath times and they're being more active, and you really want to keep sort of those keeping the kids clean and on certain points of schedule really in check.

So, I think that we can create sort of anchors for your day to keep you sane and talking each morning or the night before with your child about "What's tomorrow looking like? Let's set some expectations here so that we can sort of have a sense about what we're going to do." Because if it's unrealistic or doesn't fit the timeframe, you can help them plan something that they can be successful with instead of frustrated in coming to you every 15 minutes.

And for me, as a working parent, I can't do that with my child. They have to be able to sort of hold their own during the times that I need them to. And that requires a little bit of planning and a little bit of structure.

Gretchen: Yeah. What's often happened at our house is I'll ask that question, and the answer I've been given is, "Oh, I'm going to have a chill day." Like, what is a chill day? What does that mean?

Rachel: Right.

Gretchen: And then that lasts for like maybe an hour or two after, you know, the breakfast and the getting dressed and all that stuff, and then it's like, "I'm bored. I'm bored. I'm bored."

Andy: And I think that some of this, you know, some of the activities you can get your kids engaged in can be things that, let's think about it here, OK? Part of the structure of summer is giving your kids the opportunity to learn some life skills. A life skill can be something simple like I'm going to pick the, you know, most nutritious box self-made foods, whether it's a simple cookie mix or it's a simple food mix, that we can get them involved in some cooking, OK? I love the idea of things like food science projects. There are some great books out there on food science, complete cookbook for young scientists and learning about what makes food yummy, what makes food fun, and kids learning sort of that technique for being more independent.

And the other kind of project-based stuff we can do, you know, in some schools that I've worked with over the years, when we had kids who had learning and thinking differences who didn't engage easily in the standard curriculum, we did a lot of project-based learning. So, we would do things like "Let's build a box for, you know, putting our materials in things that we like." Like I have a box now for my Pokémon cards with this kid that I work with and giving them the opportunity through these projects to follow instructions, which includes wait, wait for it: reading. OK?

Gretchen: Right.

Andy: Following directions. What is this? This is about executive function. So, those project-based activities are really, really awesome.

Rachel: So, we talked a little earlier about TV camp, and that raises the question now about screen time and how much we should be leaving the door open for in the summer. What do you think about that?

Andy: Gosh, that's a tough one. So, I could be the good psychologist to say "You know, The American Academy of Pediatrics says we should limit it to..." you know, and they say something in the neighborhood of about 2 hours.

Rachel: No one does that.

Andy: And I think the initial recommendations...Right. Because I think for a lot of this, you have to leave adequate space for screens if you've got a teenager who's highly reliant on social media. And you have to sort of be aware of what the culture is doing for the kids. I've actually gotten to the point with my own child where we've had consequences for behavior. OK, we'll just say there was naughty moments and I actually had to make the decision to do something different than I was raised with, which is your screens are gone when you got in trouble when I was a kid.

But today I have to be super conscious of that because if I cut off all screens for my teenager, I'm actually isolating them from their social world. And if they're having trouble with their behavior because the social world is hard and they're not connecting as well as they'd like, cutting that off in full form isn't always my best option. That being said, I really like to limit the time by creating other activities for them to do that are non-screen based.

So, you might say, OK, there's a window of time this morning, you know, screen use is fine, but then you set an island of time somewhere in the middle of that morning where you're going to disengage them from that. Ultimately, the goal is to give them a variety of things to do that can be fun for them. Make sure that you're aware if you're limiting some of those screens, that there's time available for them to socialize.

Rachel: Mm-hmm.

Andy: And that you try to provide reasonable access to in-person social activities whenever possible because that's going to be really important for them.

Rachel: Yeah.

Andy: Really important.

Gretchen: Yeah. I want to mention one thing related to this before we go on with the non-screen time activity. Good old-fashioned games and by house, and we see summer definitely whether you're traveling or like we go camping, we always bring games along. But there's sometimes tears over games, right? When someone doesn't win or just gets too competitive. Do you have any advice around this for families who might struggle with picking out the type of game that'll work for their kids?

Andy: One of the things that I notice and being a psychologist who works with kids, playing lots of games during the course of my life and realizing at times that the competitiveness of it can lead to a lot of feelings, especially for kids with learning and thinking differences who may struggle with waiting their turn or struggle with following the rules or not knowing the order of certain activities when they have a turn to play.

So, one of my favorite workarounds is spending some time and energy on cooperative gaming. So, cooperative gaming is this a lot of Kumbaya, you know, certificate of, you know, of attendance appreciation thing? No. These are real games with outcomes that you can win, but you win it together. So, there are games like Pandemic. Now, this was, I had this game before the actual pandemic.

Gretchen: Yeah, I had that pre-COVID.

Andy: But you're working in teams to try to solve a larger goal. And, you know, some of these games are really great because you have to communicate, you've got to strategize and you've got to work together. Other games like Hanabi, which is a really cool game - Hanabi I think is Japanese for fireworks - and you as a team create the best fireworks displays, but you have to strategize to make them go correctly or they don't fire off correctly. No, you're not, there's no fire here - sorry, kids, you're not blowing anything off. But it's a really cool game with a lot of visual elements.

Rachel: Yeah, there was a cooperative game that we haven't played in a few years now that my kids are a little older, but it was really great when my daughter was like around six called Outfoxed.

Andy: Yeah.

Rachel: It's kind of like a whodunit, like a mystery solving, but everybody's working together kind of game. And that was a decent cooperative experience in my not-always-very-cooperative house.

Rachel: You know, I want to talk a little bit about summer camp, which does provide some structure, but it sometimes also introduces other challenges.

Gretchen: Right. If your kid has a hard time adapting to new places, new foods, new activities, new people. But we do have some suggestions for you. One suggestion I have that's worked for me and my kids is, especially when my older daughter was younger, she really had trouble adjusting to new situations and so we would preview the activities. Like I remember one time I signed her up for a YMCA camp and they were going to take the kids to an amusement park and she was scared to go to this amusement park.

So, I found, you know, people take videos of the rides, even the littlest rides. And so, we found videos of the rides and said, "OK, this is one ride. Would you do this? Let's watch the video." And it really helped her prepare so that she could actually enjoy her time on this trip.

Rachel: That's a really great idea. And actually, I did a similar thing. There was a summer camp that my son was going to when he was going into first grade, and he was going to like session two or whatever. So, it was already going on, but he wasn't there yet. And I'm like, "You know what? Let's just go check it out." I called and asked if we could do this, but he didn't know that. And we just went. And, you know, as far as he could tell, we were just like, "Hey, can we see the camp?".

Gretchen: Right.

Rachel: And they just gave us I mean, I already knew what it was before I signed up and paid for it, but for him, it was like he saw other kids doing the stuff that he would be doing. And it really it helped so much to give them that context and like, just set their expectations a little bit.

Gretchen: Hmm.

Andy: What an anxiety reducer that's got to be.

Rachel: Yeah.

Andy: You know, when things are new, they're exciting and also scary at the same time. And to take away just a little bit of that, the scary novelty, makes a huge difference. Yeah, I think that's super smart.

Rachel: So, last year "In It" did a whole episode about summer camp. And Gretchen, you and Amanda Morin got some great advice from Audrey Monke who's been running a summer camp for almost 40 years and wrote a book called Happy Campers. So, let's listen to a clip about that.

Audrey: I have a, you know, a special affinity for the overnight experience because of the immersion piece of it and the independent piece of it. I think it's a pretty magical thing for young kids to have this like time away from parents to really discover themselves. And I think part of that is we're so well-meaning as parents and we love our kids and we want to be there with them for everything they do because it's so fun to watch them learn new things and all this.

But a lot of the growth that our kids will experience in life happens away from us. You know, that look that even little kids will, you know, they're about to do something new and they turn around to look just what the expression is. "Is this safe? Should I try this?" And even when we're not trying, our expression sometimes it's like, "Oh, my gosh, that looks scary." Or "I don't know if I want to do this." So, there's just this part - and it's not just camp, it's also allowing our kids with other mentors and adults and clubs, letting them grow their wings, sometimes without us.

Gretchen: So, speaking of something that can be exciting but also uncomfortable sometimes, a lot of families take advantage of summer break to go someplace, whether that's by car. They can even do a staycation and kind of just go to new places around town. But that also brings new challenges, right? New environments, new sensory experiences, all of that. So, Andy, do you have some tips for how to make travel a little easier for families with kids who might find it difficult?

Andy: For sure. So, one of the most important things about planning travel with your kids is really spending the time in advance to get a sense of the logistics. How long are you going to be in a car if you're going somewhere or if you're flying? What kind of environments are you going to be in for your child and making sure that you have a sense about what you can give your child that's portable, that can help them control some of that sensation that's new or loud or uncomfortable. So, things like having noise-blocking headphones, if possible, lots of sort of self-soothing items, whether it's a squishy animal or sort of like a fidget-like activity.

Then giving them the opportunity really to be able to manage their body and in some cases to practice that in advance and to talk to them about, you know, let's say we're going to be driving through New York City, OK? They're going to be speed around you of people and things moving colors, lights, maybe in a language they've never heard before. I don't know. That may happen. And things that people say and do that can be stressful to them. So, giving them the opportunity to think about what kind of things would help them feel soothed.

Gretchen: Yeah.

Andy: The other piece of this is - within reason again, where we're going to right-size all of our interventions here - let your kids be involved in helping you plan parts of the vacation that they can handle. So, if you know you're going to this very specific town where your hotel is going to be or where your family lives that you're visiting, letting them pick a restaurant that you can likely go to that has a menu that they like or giving them the opportunity to sort of select one of the activities from the choices that you preselect.

Kids are usually accessories to family vacations as opposed to the ones you really put in on paper and make it happen. And I got to tell you, when I was a kid and my father would say, "Which of these things do you want to do?" When he handed me that, I'm going to date myself now, he handed me the triptych from Triple A,

Gretchen: Oh yeah.

Andy: where you have to flip through the pages and look over the maps to see where we were going. Yes. pre-GPS day kids.

Gretchen: Yes.

Andy: I felt that was really like, that was my vacation. It wasn't my parents taking me somewhere. So, I think, you know, we talk about that in school. Kids have agency when they feel like that they have ownership and engagement and choice. And vacations are no different.

Gretchen: Yeah. And I like, you know, what you said about packing things that can help with soothing when you're in a new environment. One of my favorite things, actually on Understood's website is something we have called a sensory travel kit, and it talks about the types of things that you could put in this kit to, you know, like you said, headphones for noise.

Perhaps your kid really likes to be chewing on something so like a crunchy food or soft food, sometimes texture, right? Like when you travel to Grandma's house, her towels are different than yours. Then why can't you bring one of your home towels so that your kid feels comforted by the same feeling of the towel? And I will say the ultimate favorite tip on this list, which I have used personally, is to bring Post-it notes for the sensors on automatic toilets. Because when my kids were little, they did not like the surprise it brought. And so having that Post-it and sticking it over the sensors,

Rachel: This is genius.

Gretchen: was a game changer. So, check out that sensory tool kit on our site. I will definitely put the link in our show notes.

Rachel: So, Andy, the last thing we want to touch on today is sleep. And this is a big one. It's a little less fun. But, you know, we know that having a regular sleep schedule is really helpful for kids and for grown-ups who have a hard time getting enough sleep. And in the summertime, I am again torn.

So, my kids are on a break, and, you know, that seems like a great argument to say, well, they should be allowed to just kind of stay up and hang out until whenever. So, let's say, you know, obviously, if there's a camp schedule or a get-out-the-door time, that's a little bit different. But if it's this sort of like open time in the summer, what do you think about bedtime and sleep schedules?

Andy: So, I'm a little bit of a curmudgeon here with this stuff. You know, the bottom line is that if you have a learning and thinking difference or you have your kid as ADHD, one of the things that is most effective in helping your child navigate their own neurology is to be well rested. And you know, what have I said to you during summer break, I'm just going to let my kids skip as many meals as they want, eat at three in the morning, you know, we would not look at that in the same light.

And yet with sleep, we are very much cavalier about how much we let sleep go. So, I would say that, listen, a lot is going to depend on your own household. In my household, we have working parents. So, if my child's up until 2:30 in the morning, then sleeps in, we're going to have conflict of stimulation, meaning I'm going to be up in the morning making noise. And I'll be honest, I'm not going to be really tiptoeing around because I have to work eight feet from your bedroom door.

Gretchen: Yeah.

Rachel: Yeah.

Andy: So, within reason, giving them some flexibility for when they go to sleep. But I really want to keep sleep and wake times within a reasonable window. I never want to go too far, maybe more than an hour max, maybe 90 minutes more on either side, because the reality is they need it. If they have growing bodies and keep in mind that this affects all members of a household. So, if you've got to get up in the morning and your kids are forcing you to stay up later and you're not getting self-care as a parent, that's going to weigh you down.

And by the time you get to late July, early August, you're going to be looking to, you know, "Can my kids start school early?" Because it's really maddening to folks. So, a little bit of flexibility is, OK, if you guys are away and let's say you do a Disney vacation and they have, you know, a 10:30 fireworks show or whatever. These are things you have to flex for, and you just say, "OK," your kids will recover. But again, you can't wear your kids out. They're going to get sick more often if they're not sleeping.

Gretchen: Yeah.

Andy: It makes it a lot harder.

Gretchen: Yeah. And then if you really get them off schedule, the adjustment back to school is so tough.

Rachel: Yeah, it's like jet lag. Yeah, it's like if they're just shifted where even if they're getting the right, the quote right amount of sleep, but it's starting 2 hours later than it should.

Gretchen: Yeah.

Rachel: And then they're getting up like, you know what feels like lunchtime then what?

Gretchen: Yeah. So, when school is getting closer, it's time to start adjusting, right? To not wait until a couple of days before, but really, like, weeks before. Start just crawling back to those regular times and maybe adding in a few other things that your kid has to do when school starts so that you get some practice in not just two days before.

Andy: Oh, without a doubt. Without a doubt.

Gretchen: OK. So, we've been focusing a lot on the challenges of summer. Andy, quick response. What should we be celebrating about summer for our kids?

Andy: Celebrating the achievement that we successfully made it through another school year. Yeah. And every time your kid gets a year older and you're in a summer vacation, they can do more cool stuff with you as they're sort of getting more to that, you know, closer to the adult level. Your kids are going to be more able to engage with you. And I think celebrating their independence, celebrating their skill building, and celebrating the things that were hard that they got through is always really important.

Rachel: It's like a big exhale.

Andy: Oh, yes.

Gretchen: Well, thank you, Andy, so much for chatting with us today about summer.

Rachel: And thank you for the great tips.

Andy: Thanks for having me, guys. This is always fun. Just talking with friends here.

Gretchen: You've been listening to "In It" from the Understood Podcast Network.

Rachel: This show is for you, so we want to make sure you're getting what you need. Email us at init@understood.org to share your thoughts. We love hearing from you.

Gretchen: If you want to learn more about the topics we covered today, check out the show notes for this episode. We include more resources as well as links to anything we mentioned in the episode.

Rachel: Understood.org is a resource dedicated to helping people who learn and think differently discover their potential and thrive. Learn more at Understood.org/mission.

Gretchen: "In It" is produced by Julie Subrin. Briana Berry is our production director. Justin D. Wright mixes the show. Mike Errico wrote our theme music.

Rachel: For the Understood Podcast Network, Laura Key is our editorial director, Scott Cocchiere is our creative director, and Seth Melnick is our executive producer. Thanks for listening.

Gretchen: And thanks for always being "in it" with us.

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Summer survival guide: Hacks to help your family thrive

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Summer vacation: Some kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and other differences love it. For others, summer break is hard. Get tips on sleep, travel, screen time, and more on the "In It" parenting podcast.

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Parents: Summer Ways to Prepare for a Better School Year

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Parents: Summer Ways to Prepare for a Better School Year

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Parents: Summer Ways to Prepare for a Better School Year

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A guide to preparing your middle school or high school child for the upcoming school year, especially if he or she has ADHD.

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Q: "I'm so tired once school lets out that everything my kids bring home sits until August. Then I'm scrambling to unpack all the supplies, papers, folders, etc., right before school begins to prepare us for the new year. I want to get myself set up right so we can clean up from the school year, get ourselves ready for the summer, and be prepared for back-to-school season. I don't know what to do first or even what to do. Can you help me get organized?" - WheretoBeginMom

Hi WheretoBeginMom:

After a busy school year of juggling kids' activities, homework, and school obligations, as well as family and work responsibilities, it's no wonder we all feel exhausted after the final school day. Many of us struggle to muster the motivation to plan for summer, let alone, get ready for a new school year.

Here are some go-to tips that helped me when my children were younger. Use them as a roadmap to get organized and set up for a successful summer.

Summer Plan: Getting Ready for School

1. Week One: As soon as school wraps for the summer, begin the school organizing/clean-out process by decluttering binders, folders, and notebooks. Don't save every old homework or handout, but do keep study outlines and guides, quizzes and exams, and final drafts of papers and projects. You never know when they may come in handy for a future class or younger sibling.

2. Week Two: Do your children have summer assignments or assigned reading? Have your kids write their assignments in their new planners and on a family calendar for all to see. This ensures there is no week-before-school panic that books weren't read or the report hasn't been written. It is also always a good idea to schedule summer activities around their summer (back-to-school) homework. Pick up any books your children may need early in the summer so they have ample time to get a head start.

[Free Resource: 20 Secrets to a Smarter Summer]
Bonus tip: Leave books near a comfy chair or in the beach/pool bag for easy and convenient reading.

1. Week Three: Empty out leftover school supplies from backpacks and desk drawers. Take inventory, test out ink pens, and store all reusable supplies in plastic bins that are clearly labeled. Make a list of what you have and what you need, then take advantage of end-of-the-school-year sales.

2. Week Four: Organize your home's designated homework spot. Dust off the desk, clear out the trash, change the lightbulb in the desk lamp, sharpen pencils, print out upcoming sports or theater schedules, and hang new calendars on bulletin boards. Revamping this space for the new school year may get your student excited to use the area when the time comes.

3. Week Eight-ish: After the relaxing and rejuvenating ease of summer, jumping into "back-to-school mode" can be tough. To make that transition easier, restart routines around two weeks before the first day of school. That includes pushing up bedtime, setting back-to-school screen schedules, and practicing getting up and out the door on time in the morning.

[eBook: Declutter Your Life (and Home! and Office!)]
Summer Plan: Organizing Tips

1. Right Now: Summer tends to hit us hard and fast once the kids are out of school. Take time now to create your summer calendar to feel more prepared. Add vacations, kids' sports activities or summer camps, family reunions or parties, and any events you're committed to attending. Make sure to use this time to schedule the unscheduled! Leave space in your calendar for relaxing summer days and spontaneous fun. Place the calendar where your whole family can easily access it (the kitchen is a great spot). This way, everyone in your home knows what's happening over the summer.

2. Don't let a last-minute request for a park trip or a pool date with friends catch you off guard! Keep a tote bag in your car stocked with sunscreen, bug spray, extra clothes and swimsuits, towels, and snacks. This way, you'll be ready for any impromptu adventures.

3. Are you taking any road trips this summer? Keep boredom at bay by making individual travel binders. Place markers and pens into a soft case that clips into the binder. Print out coloring pages, tic-tac-toe cards, and other games your children can play in the car or plane. I also used to fill inexpensive shower caddies from the Dollar Store with snacks for my kids. This idea was seriously genius!

4. Kids usually have extra time on their hands over the summer, so it's the perfect opportunity to enlist their help around the house. Whether you work on creating a job chart together or make one for them, it's a great opportunity to teach responsibility and accountability. Include all household responsibilities that need to get done on a weekly basis and any big projects (garage clean-out, anyone?) that you may have been saving for the warm summer months.

Bonus tip: Involve your children in your activities and summer plans. When my son was younger and needed entertaining, I involved him in the tasks that I was doing. This included time in the kitchen, outside gardening, and yes, even laundry. All these activities are more fun to do when a partner joins you. And your children will be building life-long skills along the way.

Keep summer snacking easy - and healthy-by setting up snack stations in the refrigerator and pantry. When my children were younger, I set up designated "grab-and-go" stations filled with pre-portioned healthy snacks and drinks on Sunday nights. This was my saving grace since I wasn't in the kitchen prepping snacks all day, and they were able to flex that independence muscle when it came to feeding themselves. A win-win for everyone.

Ideas for pantry items could include trail mix, whole-grain crackers, all-fruit bars, nuts, popcorn, applesauce, and nut butter pouches. Stock your refrigerator with string cheese, apple slices, Greek yogurt, sliced veggies, single-serve hummus cups, and even pre-made sandwiches.

If you want more ideas for end-of-school and summer organizing tips. please visit our website at orderoochaos.com.

Enjoy the summer!

Back to School Summer Plan: Next Steps

ADHD Family Coach Leslie Josel, of Order Out of Chaos, will answer questions from ADDitude readers about everything from paper clutter to disaster-zone bedrooms and from mastering to-do lists to arriving on time every time.
Submit your questions to the ADHD Family Coach here!
SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

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Q: "I Need a Summer Plan That Maps Out Back-to-School Steps"

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At the close of another school year, students and parents alike are exhausted and burned out. But ignoring academic expectations, school supply lists, and schedules won't make them go away this summer. Here is a summer plan that will lead to back-to-school success.

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Let's talk about that dreaded summer slide.

It's real - and it's hard on neurodivergent kids, especially those who have ADHD. Without the structure of school, they tend to drift. Learning often screeches to a halt as the siren song of screens lures them to Mario Kart and Minecraft, TV and TikTok.

Two months later, they have forgotten the academic material they worked so hard to master all year. Parents are stuck re-teaching. Kids are stuck re-learning. It's a blow to their self-esteem. And, as we know, our kids need all the school encouragement and motivation they can get.

Some parents try to stave off the summer slide with worksheets and brain-building books. But imitating school invites ugly battles. Our kids might loathe traditional lessons, but deep down, they're learners. They're doers and movers. Most of all, they're curious. My three boys, all with varying degrees of ADHD, would willingly waste all summer on screen time. But I manage to keep them reading, writing, and learning by playing to their strengths. Here's how.

How to Beat the Summer Slide

1. Make Screens Work for You

We live in a golden age of game-based learning, with programs that reward kids for accomplishing academic tasks. Learners are incentivized to work on math problems, read history texts, study science experiments, and more. Many of these programs include a social component - kids can make friends while adhering to parental controls - and a reward structure that unlocks in-game fun with every completed academic task. My 10-year-old learned to type last summer because he wanted avatar swag.

Growing gamers may also enjoy online coding classes. Most start from the basics and work up to more complicated computer languages. My 12-year-old quickly caught the gist of Roblox coding. Now, rather than play games, he and his bestie work collaboratively to develop them.
[Download: Free Guide to Brain-Boosting Video Games]
2. Get Outside

We know children with ADHD require outdoor time. But banishing them to the backyard quickly becomes a big yawn. Instead, we scour our area for parks, nature preserves, and kid-friendly hikes. Since sedate woodland walks quickly morph into forced marches, we tote supplies - lots of them. If there's water, we plan for wading. If there are low-branched trees, we plan for climbing. If there are berries, we plan for picking.

We almost always bring nets. The kids scoop up everything from mayflies to minnows and, with our packed field guides, we do our best to identify the organisms, or at least narrow them down by kingdom, phylum, class... you get the idea. Those field guides also help us decode animal prints, pin down tree species, and name a minimum of 20 birds per hike.

3. Don't Police Their Book Choices

Maybe your child hates reading. But maybe your child, like many kids with ADHD, actually hates reading what they're told to read. Ask my 10-year-old to plow through My Brother Sam Is Dead (#CommissionsEarned) and he'll throw an epic tantrum. Hand him a college text on evolution and he tumbles into hyperfocus. If your children pick their own books, you may be shocked by their sudden motivation and reading-level advances.

Many reluctant readers are tempted by graphic novels - and before you scoff, graphic novels today aren't the comic books of yore. Every kid in my house, including my 8-year-old, has devoured The Olympians (#CommissionsEarned), a series of accurate myths of Greek gods and goddesses. Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales (#CommissionsEarned) are torn and tattered (my kids rolled their eyes when I mentioned the Korean War because, duh, there's a Nathan Hale book about it). Your local librarian would be delighted to point your kids toward books that play to their interests.
[Read: ADHD Summer Reading Guide]
4. Make a (Beach) Bucket List

Have you ever taught your child the basics of good photography, then turned him loose? We tried this in our downtown area, and now my oldest is a budding Ansel Adams. If your kid adores the family dog, enroll them both in an obedience class and put her in charge of puppy practice. Try planting an edible garden. Learn to tie-dye. Bake cakes. If you pick something you've never done, you can share some valuable bonding time with your kiddo.

Take some risks! Many areas have indoor climbing gyms and introductory classes. Tempt your child with a skateboard. Do martial arts. Check your area for fencing clubs. Try out diving. My kids love to kayak and canoe; fishing is another favorite. Maybe these new activities will keep your kid interested, learning, and stimulated. Give it a shot. But don't be discouraged if they try a new skill, then bow out. Sometimes, it's worth pushing through. If my kids want to stop because a challenge annoys them, we keep going. But if they genuinely dislike something, I let them quit.

Preventing a summer slide is about more than memorizing math facts. Play to their strengths. Let them move. Allow them to pick their own path. Kids who have ADHD may struggle in the classroom, so don't replicate it at home. Instead of handing them worksheets, give them a chance to love learning. Your kid's curiosity and creativity might just surprise you.

Avoid the Summer Slide with ADHD: Next Steps

#CommissionsEarned As an Amazon Associate, ADDitude earns a commission from qualifying purchases made by ADDitude readers on the affiliate links we share. However, all products linked in the ADDitude Store have been independently selected by our editors and/or recommended by our readers. Prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

SUPPORT ADDITUDE
Thank you for reading ADDitude. To support our mission of providing ADHD education and support, please consider subscribing. Your readership and support help make our content and outreach possible. Thank you.

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Call It the 'Summer Swell:' 4 Clever Ways to Reverse Learning Loss

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Worried about a summer slide? Think creatively to stimulate your child's curious, clever ADHD mind over the long vacation and prevent learning loss. Try these fun activities to start a new tradition: the summer swell.

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Fairfax County Library Summer Reading Adventure

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Fairfax County Library Summer Reading Adventure

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Our Summer Reading Adventure is for YOUTHand ADULTS and participating is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Beginning June 5, go to fairfaxcounty.beanstack.org and register for the Summer Reading Adventure appropriate for you or your children.

2. Depending on your age, earn ten or fifteen virtual badges by reading or listening to books, reading for 20 or 30 minutes, completing activities or a combination of all three.

3. Once you have met the reading goals for your age/grade, visit your local library branch and receive prizes for finishing the program!

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FCPL Curated Content: Reading Adventures for Youth and Adults: Summer Reading Adventure

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Participate in Fairfax County Public Library's reading activities!

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5 Ways To Engage Your Reluctant Reader This Summer

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5 Ways To Engage Your Reluctant Reader This Summer

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Engaging your child in summer learning can be challenging, particularly if you have a reluctant reader. However, any educator will tell you that students who read over the summer are better prepared for the start of the new school year in the fall.

Regular reading can boost performance on reading achievement tests by 35-40%, according to the Epic! Summer Reading Study. Yet, as children get older, their love for reading often wanes. Did you know that about half of kids aged 6-8 read for pleasure almost every day? But by high school, this drops to a mere 15%, according to the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™ .

Strong reading skills aren't just for English class-they're essential across all subjects, including math and science. Reading comprehension is crucial whether it's tackling word problems in math or understanding complex instructions in science experiments. For example, understanding word problems in math hinges on good reading skills, and grasping scientific texts is vital for success in science.

To help your child stay ahead, I'm sharing five proven strategies and our annual book recommendations to encourage summer reading and support your child's academic success. Plus, at the bottom of this page, you can watch our recent webinar, "Reading and Succeeding: Proven Methods to Boost Motivation and Comprehension."

How do you get your reluctant reader to actually read?

1. Select a book in a series.

One of the best ways to get reluctant readers excited to read more is to find a book series they love. Series for young readers often feature captivating characters and storylines that draw kids in, encouraging them to read more. Once your child gets invested in the first book, their curiosity about what happens next can motivate them to continue reading through the series.

This sustained interest can help improve their reading fluency, comprehension, and overall confidence. Additionally, book series provide a sense of accomplishment as your child progresses from one book to the next, reinforcing their positive reading habits and making reading a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.

2. Pick books and passages that are kid-tested.

Even boys with ADHD will devour a book when you find material that interests them. The story should be easy to read and should grab their attention right away.

Does your fifth grader enjoy dragons? Find stories or graphic novels about dragons. How about an eighth-grader who enjoys cars and motorcycles? Find a book on repair or popular models.

"One of my students wouldn't read outloud during our initial session, but I knew he was really into Roblox. By finding reading materials related to the game, I was able to engage him and help him greatly improve his reading skills," explained our Reading Tutor and Executive Function Coach Jan Rowe.

Understanding what excites your child can significantly boost their reading motivation. I love the Scholastic website, which allows parents and their kids to peruse books by reading level and interest. If you are unsure if the content is age-appropriate, you can also check Common Sense Media for age recommendations and reviews from parents and kids.

3. Enlist help from a Reading Tutor or Executive Function Coach.

A Subject Tutor or Executive Function Coach can engage your child and uncover the reasons behind the reluctance, offer solutions, and open the door to the exciting world of books.

To get the most out of summer reading sessions, we start with an assessment to discover your child's current reading level and pinpoint their strengths and areas for improvement.

"Assessments guide us in creating a personalized learning plan," explained Rowe. This tailored approach means your child gets the support they need to tackle their unique challenges and build on their strengths.

Nowadays, online reading is an essential skill for students. With so much happening online, including standardized tests, it's crucial for kids to be comfortable with digital text. Our virtual sessions incorporate screen-sharing and on-screen tools to highlight text and write notes in the margin, making the online reading experience interactive and engaging.

Click below to schedule your free consultation to discuss how we'll help your child keep up or get ahead this summer.

4. Consider a summer reading challenge.

There's a good chance your local library or your child's school district is offering a free summer reading challenge to encourage kids to keep reading. If not, plenty of online challenges are out there, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel.

Through Scholastic's Home Base Summer Program, kids can read free eBooks, attend author events, and keep track of their reading streaks. Camp BOOK IT! helps kids set and keep track of monthly reading goals and rewards them with free pizza. Kids can score a free book through Barnes & Noble's Summer Reading Program, and hone their writing skills while they're at it.

5. Everyone in the family should read, not just kids.

Parents AND kids should choose a book at the start of the summer. When kids see their parents and siblings reading something offline, they are much more likely to do so themselves. Try to pair reading time with relaxation in the evening after dinner. Whether it's a book or a magazine, the content isn't as crucial as the act of reading itself.

And if you follow our first two tips about finding the right material and getting them hooked on a series, you'll find that your kids may actually start looking forward to their evening reading time...

Our Summer 2024 Book Recommendations

Here are some of our elementary school student's favorite book series:

My Weird School- Dan Gutman

Wayside School - Louis Sachar

Class Dismissed - Allan Woodrow

Trapped in a Video Game - Dustin Brady

Dog Man - Dav Pilkey

I Survived - Lauren Tarshis

Here are some of our middle school student's favorite book series:

39 Clues - Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson - Rick Riordan

Hatchet - Gary Paulson

The City of Ember - Jeanne DuPrau

Liar, Liar - Gary Paulson

Middle School Series - James Patterson

And if you have a high schooler, check out these some summer reading lists:

Ready to Transform Your Child's Reading Skills?

Using the summer to focus on your child's reading skills can give them the boost they need for academic success. Addressing individual challenges, engaging materials, and connecting with their interests can make reading a fun and rewarding experience. We're here for you this summer!

Schedule a free strategy call to discuss your child's reading history and goals. We'll help develop an individualized learning plan and set your child on the path to start the next school year strong.

Watch our Webinar- Reading & Succeeding: Proven Methods to Boost Motivation and Comprehension

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5 Ways To Engage Your Reluctant Reader This Summer

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Summer is the perfect time to help your child improve their reading skills. Dive into this article to uncover the benefits and strategies to make reading enjoyable and effective for your child. We're also including our Summer of 2024 book recommendations.

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The library offers Summer and Winter Reading programs for kids, teens, and adults with extra challenges and fun prizes for every reader!

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SummerQuest Jr. is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. SummerQuest is made possible through support from the Alexandria Library Foundation, Inc., the Friends of Beatley Central Library, Friends of Barrett Library, Friends of Burke Library, Friends of Duncan Library and the Virginia Commission for the Arts. SummerQuest is also supported by a generous donation from the Brown-Sanchez family. Prizes provided by the Washington Nationals.

* This project is supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

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SummerQuest Jr. is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. SummerQuest is made possible through support from the Alexandria Library Foundation, Inc., the Friends of Beatley Central Library, Friends of Barrett Library, Friends of Burke Library, Friends of Duncan Library and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

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Setting the Stage for Summer Success webinar

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Setting the Stage for Summer Success webinar

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Setting the Stage for Summer Success webinar

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You can browse our library or we can help select books for you to pick up Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.  Please call or e-mail us to make sure we are available when you want to come.  You can either drop them off at our center in Dunn Loring or at an FCPS school near you.

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You can browse our library or we can help select books for you to pick up Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.  Please call or e-mail us to make sure we are available when you want to come.  You can either drop them off at our center in Dunn Loring or at an FCPS school near you.

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To help with all your screen related needs

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To help with all your screen related needs

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Top resources by topic as you navigate the digital world

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In this lesson you will learn how to help plan and and follow through on summer goals and activities for your family.

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Vision and Dreams for the Summer

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You can Use Bingo Templates to Create an Activity Plan for your Family.  This is an example from Canva.

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You can Use Bingo Templates to Create an Activity Plan for your Family.  This is an example from Canva.

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I love dirt! : 52 activities to help you and your kids discover the wonders of nature

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I love dirt! : 52 activities to help you and your kids discover the wonders of nature

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50+ screen-free activities for kids : the very best and easiest playtime activities from FunAtHomeWithKids.com!

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50+ screen-free activities for kids : the very best and easiest playtime activities from FunAtHomeWithKids.com!

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Show me a story : 40 craft projects and activities to spark children's storytelling

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Show me a story : 40 craft projects and activities to spark children's storytelling

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The family manager's guide to summer survival

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The family manager's guide to summer survival

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How to Talk to Your Children About Body Safety

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How to Talk to Your Children About Body Safety

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How to Talk to Your Children about Body Safety

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Less Policing, More Parenting  How to Improve Your Child’s Executive Functioning Skills Without All

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Everything You Need to Know About Marijuana

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Everything You Need to Know About Marijuana

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Everything You Need to Know about Marijuana in 1 hour: A Webinar for Families

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Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members

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Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members

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Gang Prevention for Families and Community Members

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Supporting Healthy Habits and Routines in Early Learners

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Supporting Healthy Habits and Routines in Early Learners

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Supporting Healthy Habits and Routines in Early Learners

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School Transitions for Military Families

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School Transitions for Military Families

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School Transitions for Military Families: Outgoing and Incoming Students

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In this lesson you will learn about how to have a family meeting and why this would be a helpful way to begin your summer planning.

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This lesson will look at ways that we can consider self-care for ourselves and reach out for support.  We can model and encourage our kids to pursue self-care as well.

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In this lesson you will have the opportunity to consider ways to support your child academically this summer.  Some kids may need a break from school, while others may benefit from some support this summer.

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Learn how to translate all of these websites and videos without special apps.

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Learn how to translate all of these websites and videos without special apps.

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Aprenda a traducir sitios web y videos sin aplicaciones especiales. 특별한 앱없이 웹 사이트와 동영상을 번역하는 방법을 알아보세요. Tìm hiểu cách dịch các trang web và video mà không cần ứng dụng đặc biệt. تعرف على كيفية ترجمة مواقع الويب ومقاطع الفيديو بدون تطبيقات خاصة. 了解如何在不使用特殊应用的情况下翻译网站和视频。

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Translation Tutorials Library (Mobile Version)

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Translation Tutorials Library (Mobile Version)

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Biblioteca de tutoriales de traducción (versión móvil)
번역 튜토리얼 라이브러리 (모바일 버전)
مكتبة دروس الترجمة (النسخة المحمولة)
Thư viện hướng dẫn dịch (Phiên bản dành cho thiết bị di động)

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How to Translate Websites (Mobile Version) | Cómo traducir sitios web (Version Móvil)

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Use a computer or phone to make the web easy to read. كيفية ترجمة المواقع الإلكترونية. 웹 사이트 번역 방법. Cách dịch trang web.  ድርጣቢያዎችን እንዴት መተርጎም እንደሚቻል. ویب سائٹ کا ترجمہ کیسے کریں.  如何翻译网站

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Part 3 Lesson Guide: Reinforce Academic Skills

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Part 3 Lesson Guide: Reinforce Academic Skills

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Part 1 Lesson Guide: The Art of the Family Meeting

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Part 1 Lesson Guide: The Art of the Family Meeting

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Part 1_ Family Meetings & Routines Session Guide 2023

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Lista de reproducción de tutoriales de traducción
번역 튜토리얼 재생 목록
قائمة تشغيل دروس الترجمة
Danh sách phát hướng dẫn dịch

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Short tutorial videos to translate websites without special apps. Updated May 28, 2021. Vídeos tutoriales breves para traducir sitios web sin aplicaciones es...

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Activar subtítulos en YouTube (imagen)
YouTube에서 자막 켜기 (이미지)
تشغيل الترجمة في يوتيوب (صورة)
Bật phụ đề trong YouTube (hình ảnh)

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The Art of the Family Meeting

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Amharic: 571-423-4957

Arabic: 571-423-4952

Chinese: 571-423-4953

Farsi: 571-423-4954

Korean: 571-423-4951

Spanish: 571-423-4950

Urdu: 571-423-4955

Vietnamese: 571-423-4956

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FCPS offers telephone support to parents who do not speak English as their first language.

FCPS language lines are available in eight different languages to assist parents who do not speak English as their first language. A school system employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday. The caller will provide you with the requested information, arrange for you to speak with the appropriate school employee, or connect you with the resource that you are looking to find.

To use the parent information phone lines please call:

Amharic (አማርኛ): 571-423-4957

Arabic ( ): 571-423-4952

Chinese ( ): 571-423-4953

Farsi ( ): 571-423-4954

Korean ( ): 571-423-4951

Spanish ( ): 571-423-4950

Urdu ( ): 571-423-4955

Vietnamese ( ): 571-423-4956

Check out our Community Liaisons section.

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FCPS offers telephone support to parents who do not speak English as their first language. FCPS language lines are available in eight different languages to assist parents who do not speak English as their first language. A school system employee will respond to your call in your preferred language within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.

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Summer Planning Calendar 2022- Spanish Version

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Summer Planning Calendar 2022- Spanish Version

# data[].attributes.headline
Different Rules for Different Houses (divorce or shared custody)

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Different Rules for Different Houses (divorce or shared custody)

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Practice the skill of Perspective Taking, while you help your child understand and respect the different rules of each parent and still enjoying the time she spends with both of you. From www.mindinthemaking.org/skill-building-opportunities. Step 4 includes excellent suggestions for a Family Meeting.
Use this link for a Spanish version.

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Visual Schedules for Early Childhood and Special Needs

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Visual Schedules for Early Childhood and Special Needs

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Helpful hints and tutorials to create visual schedules. Many free, printables as well.

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Nearly everyone utilizes some form of visual schedule to stay organized. Many individuals with special needs benefit from visual schedules in written and / or picture form because they have trouble processing verbally delivered information, initiating activities, staying focused, completing every step within a task, and shifting focus between one activity and the next. Visual schedules can increase independence and also reduce anxiety for many individuals with special needs. Visual schedules are often vital to the individual's performance in school, vocational, self-care, and leisure activities.

General Considerations

View2Do is an online program that lets teachers and parents create customized teaching aids for visual learners.

Helps children who have trouble following verbal directions and remembering steps in an activity.

Print these FREE ready-to-use communication tools.

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picture exchange communication system cards

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Do2Learn: Educational Resources for Special Needs

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picture communication cards, songs, games and learning activities for autism, aspergers, fetal alcohol syndrome and disabilities

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(runtime 3:03)

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Tutorial: Use color on your family calendar

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Tutorial: Use color on your family calendar

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Color makes it easier to read and helps everyone feel included. (druntime 1:32)

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How to use different colors for different family members on a paper calendar.

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Includes: at home, on vacation, at camp, blank, and Spanish.
Print and post on a wall or the refrigerator.
Contact the Parent Resource Center to get a printed copy. 703-204-3941 or PRC@FCPS.edu

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Build critical thinking skills while building morning routines with your child. Printable suggestions from www.mindinthemaking.org/skill-building-opportunities. These suggestions can be used for your Family Meeting, as well.
Use this link for a Spanish version.

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Tutorial: How to Create a Family Plan with routines and visual schedules

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Tutorial: How to Create a Family Plan with routines and visual schedules

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(runtime 5:15)

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Use this summer to prepare for the new school year

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Tutorial: Share events on Google Calendar

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Tutorial: Share events on Google Calendar

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runtime 2:52

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Webinar: Setting the Stage for Summer Success 

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Webinar: Setting the Stage for Summer Success 

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Setting the Stage for Summer Success - Safer at Home Edition

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Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids: Getting Children to Help Around the House | Parents

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Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids: Getting Children to Help Around the House | Parents

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Children benefit when they're expected to help around the house. This guide will help you assign age-appropriate chores to kids, whether they're in preschool, elementary school, or high school.

Experts often recommend assigning chores to your children-it fosters responsibility, boosts self-esteem, and helps them feel like an important part of the family. Daily or weekly chores also teach children skills they'll use throughout their lives, such as setting priorities. The earlier kids learn to incorporate domestic duties into their everyday routine, the more likely they are to continue helping out when they hit their teen years.

But despite the benefits of chores, you can't ignore a modern-day reality: Farming out to-dos usually means redoing tasks the right way after your child has skipped off to school or to bed. And if you're stuck making the bed again anyway, what's the help in that?

The key is giving kids the right chores for their ages. "There's always a learning curve for kids, whether they're toddlers or teenagers," says Patricia Greenfield, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. "But the best way to encourage kids to pitch in -without making more work for yourself-is to make sure the jobs are age-appropriate." Check out these household tasks for kids of all ages.

Chores for Toddlers

The word "chore" hardly applies toddlers because they're so eager to spend time with you and love helping out, says Greenfield. Pick easy tasks that won't frustrate your toddler, and don't worry about ponying up allowance or other rewards as incentive. Just heap on the praise for a job well done.

Perhaps the best age-appropriate chore for toddlers is tidying up toys. Turn cleaning into teaching by asking your kid to gather all the orange blocks first, say, or to put their dolls to sleep on the shelf. Toddlers can also blot minor messes with paper towels, mop dust with a sock-covered hand, and place dirty laundry in the hamper.

Chores for 4-Year-Olds

Even young children can help out around the house-and at this age, chores are a pride thing. "Kids love to show off their skills," says Greenfield. Work with this need to please by doling out more specific projects that require some independence. For example, your 4-year-old can put away their toys, sort clean socks from the laundry, and place napkins on the dinner table. Should you reward with an allowance? Up to you, but many experts suggest that it's best not to tie a pay-out to generally helping around the house at this age.

Chores for 5-Year-Olds

When selecting chores for young kids, keep in mind your child's age and physical and mental maturity. Also expect mistakes, says Robert Billingham, Ph.D., a human development specialist at Indiana University in Bloomington. It's part of the learning process. As kids grow older, they'll need less supervision and reminders. Age-appropriate chores for 5-year-olds include making the bed (pulling up the blanket and arranging the pillows), sorting recyclables, and putting clothes away in drawers.

Chores for 6-Year-Olds

By age 6, children should be able to accomplish all of the chores already listed in this article. Other age-appropriate chores include raking the leaves, sorting the mail, and setting the dinner table with non-breakable items. Also consider letting your 6-year-old water the plants; a pint-sized watering pot will ensure that they can flex their green thumbs without drowning your daisies.

Chores for 7-Year-Olds

Your grade-schooler's off on their own, gaining responsibility and independence during the school day, so don't be afraid to let them go solo on certain small-ish chores. In addition to easier assignments (like sorting mail and setting the table), 7-year-olds should be able to keep their room and bathroom tidy. They might also make their own easy breakfast, empty the dishwasher, and collect trash from wastebaskets.

Chores for 8-Year-Olds

Eight-year-olds can prepare after-school snacks, help Mom and Dad cook dinner, weed the garden, and take out the garbage. They can also feed pets and do a quick sweep of the kitchen floor. Let your child return condiments (salad dressing, ketchup) after meals or help you unload grocery bags after you get home from the supermarket.

Chores for 9-Year-Olds

Now's the time to break your child's toss-everything-in-the-kitchen-sink habit. Have them rinse off their plate and place it (and accompanying silverware, etc.) in the dishwasher. What's more, as your older kid becomes a reading pro, ask them to take charge of story time for younger siblings-a great alternative to TV. Finally, you can cut down on morning craziness by having your 9-year-old restock their own backpack at night by packing homework, permission slips, and other supplies.

Chores for Tweens (10-13 Years Old)

Ten-year-olds and up can do all of the above. In addition, they can fold clean laundry, vacuum, give the dog a bath, wash the car, help with yard work, wipe the counter, and clean the car. But keep in mind that while the extra help might be nice, an older kid may start whining, complaining, or "forgetting" about their chores. You may want to consider paying for their help around the house. Rather than tying the cash to specific chores, most experts agree that it's better to link payday to their overall contribution and responsibility so they won't expect a bonus every single time they pitch in.

Chores for Teens (Age 13+)

"Your teen is pretty much capable of doing any of the chores you do," says Marilee Sprenger, MEd, a professor at Aurora University in Illinois who studies brain development and memory. "The best way to motivate a child this age is to make them feel in control. Set up a chore system together, for example, or offer choices." You probably can't get away without giving out allowance at this point, but make sure your teen uses their moolah wisely.

Some age-appropriate chores for teens include decluttering rooms of the house, cooking easy dishes once or twice per month, washing their own clothes, running errands, cleaning the bathrooms, and fixing snacks for younger siblings.

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Age-Appropriate Chores for Kids: Getting Children to Help Around the House

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Children benefit when they're expected to help around the house. This guide will help you assign age-appropriate chores to kids, whether they're in preschool, elementary school, or high school. Experts often recommend assigning chores to your children-it fosters responsibility, boosts self-esteem, and helps them feel like an important part of the family.

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Brainstorm any and all activities that might be fun or valuable. Put them on a wall when it’s accomplished, put the card in an envelope. Every once in a while review the finished cards. It feels good to have accomplished so much!

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FRC Resource on summer activities to do with your kids

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FRC Resource on summer activities to do with your kids

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THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Virginia - 2021 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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Things to Do in Virginia, United States: See Tripadvisor's 2,056,122 traveler reviews and photos of Virginia tourist attractions. Find what to do today or anytime in June. We have reviews of the best places to see in Virginia. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

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Discover the Best Things to Do and Places to Go

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Discover the Best Things to Do and Places to Go

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Wander With Purpose | Explorer Blog by Let's Roam

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Looking for the best things to do with your friends, family, and coworkers? Don't miss the Let's Roam Explorer blog!

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Special Needs Family Support Resource Guide

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Special Needs Family Support Resource Guide

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Published by FCPS Family Resource Center, Updated April, 2023. Organizations and websites with specific information, support groups, and services available for children with special needs.

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Summers are all about making memories, friends, and even learning new skills...

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Self-Care Reflection
If the video does not play within Padlet, click the "link" button in the bottom right of the square to open in YouTube.

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How to Check Out Ebooks from the Family Resource Center

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How to Check Out Ebooks from the Family Resource Center

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How to check out ebooks from the Parent Resource Center

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eBook Library website at the Family Resource Center

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eBook Library website at the Family Resource Center

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Instructions are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese

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How to Help Your Child Cope with the Pandemic and Return to Normalcy

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How to Help Your Child Cope with the Pandemic and Return to Normalcy

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How to Help your Child Cope with the Pandemic and the Return to Normalcy by Dr. Lisa Bateman

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We need to talk about summer vacation. We know your students have been working hard this past school year, so it might be tempting to let them off the hook over the long break. Kids need time to be kids. We get it. However, many students experience summer learning losses when math, reading, and homework are put on the back burner.

In fact, a study published by the American Education Research Journal shows that the average student loses between 25 and 34 percent of each school-year math gains during the following summer.

So how do we find the right balance? On one hand, you want your students to enjoy all that the summer season has to offer, but on the other hand, you don't want them playing catch up when the new school year starts.

That's where ST Math can help. Encouraging your students to play ST Math with their penguin friend JiJi will be easier than cracking open math textbooks from school years past. If you need some ideas on how to encourage mathematical thinking over summer vacation, we've got you covered. Here are some resources to keep everyone learning math while having some summer fun:

Download our Summer Usage Calendar

Summer tracking printables are available on our website like this ST Math Summer Usage Calendar. Your children can use it to track their minutes every time they play ST Math. A recent released by study , part of the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University, found increasing ST Math usage by more than 10 minutes per week correlated to significantly higher math gains on multiple state standardized math assessments. Setting aside ten extra minutes for your child to solve puzzles with JiJi is easy. All you need to access ST Math is a Wi-Fi connection and a compatible device , so the whole family can play from the couch or by the pool. Proving Ground

MathMINDs Games and Stories

One of the simplest ways to spark your child's mathematical curiosity is by finding real-life examples of math in the world around us. Our MathMINDs games and stories do exactly that by offering several interactive, effortful, and absorbing programs that deepen our collective understanding and enjoyment of math. Explore tons of math concepts, such as comparing numbers by comparing lemur ages, positive and negative by flipping your caterpillars on branches to attack, number sense and recognition by recalling which cows are yours, and much more.

Game-a-thon

Has your child ever shown a budding talent for game design? Take a break from screens and run your own Play.Create.Share. project then enhance it with one of our ongoing Game-a-thons . We are on a mission to produce a free family math night kit featuring only student-made work. Submit your own games by May 31, 2021, for a chance to be featured! See our for examples. Student Cork Board

Developing our MathMINDs

Developing Our MathMINDs is a series of conversations and resources about math that is intended to be a journey of growth with families over several weeks. MIND's Lead Mathematician and Product Director Brandon Smith and Content Development Manager Nina Wu talk about learning at home and opportunities for changing our relationship with math. Start here with "Summer Math," and then check out all of the MathMINDs series offerings at the bottom of the blog post.

We encourage you to incorporate these activities to keep math learning top-of-mind all summer long. We also hope that you take time to rest and make lasting memories with your families. Have a great summer!

Want to share these activities with your community? Download the flyer below:

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Keep Kids Learning with ST Math this Summer

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We need to talk about summer vacation. We know your students have been working hard this past school year, so it might be tempting to let them off the hook over the long break. Kids need time to be kids. We get it.

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Summer Mental Health Treatment | Newport Healthcare

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When is the best time to access care for mental health challenges? There's a simple answer to that question: as soon as possible, because the longer a mental health issue remains untreated, the more serious it can become. That said, for teens, young adults, and families who have been considering treatment, summer is often the easiest and most convenient time to access the care they need.

Spending several weeks at a residential treatment center or in a full-day outpatient program during the summer can set young people up for a positive and rewarding year-and give them powerful tools for navigating the inevitable stressors and challenges of life. After treatment, teens can segue into an after-school outpatient program for the fall, while young adults can stay connected through continuing care and alumni support groups.

Why Start Mental Health Treatment During the Summer?

Here are five reasons why the summer months are often the easiest times to overcome obstacles to care and ensure that young people access the treatment they need to thrive.

1. Summer is a more convenient time to step away from activities and responsibilities.

For teens and young adults who are on school vacation, the summer months are more likely to be unstructured and unplanned. That makes it simpler to enter treatment; there's no need to take a leave of absence from high school or college. Summer jobs or internships can be cancelled or postponed more easily than year-round activities. And while talking about treatment is a powerful way to reduce the stigma around mental health, accessing care during the summer means you have a choice about when and how much you want to reveal, rather than being required to share sensitive information with a high school or college administration.

2. The unstructured summer months can make mental health issues worse.

For teens in high school and young adults in college, the long summer break can make existing issues worse. While school can be hard for kids who are struggling with their well-being, it can also provide goals, purpose, and a sense of community. Without that structure and social connection, young people can experience more loneliness, depression, FOMO, and anxiety. There's also the risk of increased drug use and drinking, which can lead to a substance use disorder. Seeking care in summer prevents problems from escalating, while helping young people find long-term recovery from underlying issues that get worse in summer.

3. It's often easier during the summer to access treatment quickly.

Because going back to school tends to exacerbate problems and complicate existing mental health issues, many families tend to seek help during the fall months. That can make the admissions process lengthier and waitlists longer at both residential and outpatient treatment programs. In the summer, it's often easier to expedite the admissions process and access open beds in residential care or open places in a Partial Hospitalization Program.

4. Teens and young adults gain the skills to support a positive transition back to school.

Along with healing the underlying trauma that catalyzes mental health disorders and behavioral issues, residential or outpatient treatment in the summer also gives young people the tools they need to go back to school strong, with the tools they need to succeed. Instead of the rocky and tumultuous start that they may have experienced in the past, they can step into the new school year with enhanced skills for emotional regulation, relationship building, and executive functioning. Treatment in summer can help teens avoid being held back a grade due to behavioral or mental health issues, and set young adults up with stronger skills for navigating college.

Newport Academy's teen educational program is fully accredited and provides enhanced tutoring within a therapeutic environment, with individualized educational plans. Our specialized curriculum is designed to close proficiency gaps and help students grow their strengths, and our academic outcomes data shows that teens experience significant improvement in engagement, motivation, and organizational skills during their time with us. Newport Institute supports young adults to strengthen their executive functioning and life skills in order to successfully pursue their academic and career goals.

Instead of the rocky and tumultuous start that they may have experienced in the past, young people can step into the new school year with enhanced skills for emotional regulation, relationship building, and executive functioning.

5. Treatment can be the most meaningful and memorable experience a teen or young adult has ever had.

Treatment isn't a vacation, but it's an experience that young people will never forget. While it's hard work, it's also incredibly rewarding for the client and the whole family. Young people overcome challenges within a safe environment, and build self-mastery and self-esteem, and discover new strengths. And within a supportive community of peers, teens and young adults often feel a sense of belonging and connection they've never felt before. Participating in experiential modalities, like Adventure Therapy and music therapy, gives young people time with caring friends and time outdoors in nature-two of the best parts of summer.

Contact us today to learn more about our programs for teens and young adults, with locations nationwide.

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5 Reasons Why Summer Is the Best Time to Access Care

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When is the best time to access care for mental health challenges? There's a simple answer to that question: as soon as possible, because the longer a

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My Teen Won’t Get Out of Bed: 7 Reasons Why and 10 Ways Parents Can Help

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Understanding the reasons why a teen won’t get out of bed is the first step in helping them develop a good summer routine.

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Helping your child with math starts with thinking about math in a different way. Research shows that memorizing all the different ways to solve math problems isn't enough for long-term success. But, by working through challenging problems to build a deep understanding of how math concepts work, all children are capable of succeeding in math.

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10 Writing Activities For Kids This Summer (That Can Actually Be Fun!) - Educational Connections

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10 Writing Activities For Kids This Summer (That Can Actually Be Fun!) - Educational Connections

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10 Writing Activities For Kids This Summer (That Can Actually Be Fun!) - Educational Connections (ectutoring.com)

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10 Writing Activities For Kids This Summer (That Can Actually Be Fun!) - Educational Connections

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I wasn't a math major, but I know enough to tell you that in the majority of households, that equation DOESN'T hold true. It's hard enough to get them to sit down and write during the school year so you may be wondering... "How in the world is this going to happen over the summer?"

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Mind in the Making  has great tips to teach while playing!

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Mind in the Making  has great tips to teach while playing!

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Twitter: @MITM_BFF
www.mindinthemaking.org

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Using familiar objects in new, simple and fun ways lets your child explore basic ideas of science and math while learning about cause and effect, size, and shape. You and your child can explore the endless possibilities in the world and pave the way for lifelong learning.

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Using familiar objects in new, simple and fun ways lets your child explore basic ideas of science and math while learning about cause and effect, size, and shape. You and your child can explore the endless possibilities in the world and pave the way for lifelong learning. https://t.co/jwYDKVMD9o

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Using familiar objects in new, simple and fun ways lets your child explore basic ideas of science and math while learning about cause and effect, size, and shape. You and your child can explore the endless possibilities in the world and pave the way for lifelong learning. pic.twitter.com/jwYDKVMD9o
— MITM_BFF (@MITM_BFF) May 27, 2021

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Using familiar objects in new, simple and fun ways lets your child explore basic ideas of science and math while learning about cause and effect, size, and shape. You and your child can explore the endless possibilities in the world and pave the way for lifelong learning. https://t.co/jwYDKVMD9o

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.original_text
Using familiar objects in new, simple and fun ways lets your child explore basic ideas of science and math while learning about cause and effect, size, and shape. You and your child can explore the endless possibilities in the world and pave the way for lifelong learning. https://t.co/jwYDKVMD9o

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.metadata.attachment_props.text
Using familiar objects in new, simple and fun ways lets your child explore basic ideas of science and math while learning about cause and effect, size, and shape. You and your child can explore the endless possibilities in the world and pave the way for lifelong learning.

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Nationals All-Star Summer Reading Program

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Nationals All-Star Summer Reading Program

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Story Time @ Nationals Park

Join a Nationals player and community partners before select home games for a player read aloud and book give away! Story Time is open to anyone with a ticket and held prior to games on April 21, June 16, July 7, August 4, and September 1.

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Be an All-Star Reader! | Washington Nationals

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The Nationals are proud to support summer reading programs in our community. Select your library system below for more information.

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Preparando el escenario para el éxito del verano

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Preparando el escenario para el éxito del verano

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Preparando el escenario para el éxito del verano

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Summer Reading with Reading is Fundamental

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Summer Reading with Reading is Fundamental

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Join us in some live, interactive fun this summer!

RIF is thrilled to offer two virtual book clubs this summer where your child can watch a read-aloud and then join in a discussion about the book.

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Join us in some live, interactive fun this summer! RIF is thrilled to offer two virtual book clubs this summer where your child can watch a read-aloud and then join in a discussion about the book.

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https://padlet.com/FCPSFamilyResourceCenter/child-development-l2exdn41cbyi3beh

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Sonlight Summer Reading Kit-Free Printables

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Sonlight Summer Reading Kit-Free Printables

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FREE Downloadable Resource

It's no secret that at Sonlight, we love books! Reading doesn't have to stop when the school year ends, and this year we've decided to make your summer reading a little more fun with this printable Summer Reading Kit. It's filled with reading activities that'll keep your child engaged with books all summer long.

GET MY FREE KIT

This Summer Reading Kit includes a wide range of free resources. Pick and choose the activities that most interest your family!

Punch cards, genre charts, and reading logs - Track your progress whatever ways your kids love best.

Reading Bingo - Add variety to your summer reading and see who can fill out the Bingo card first.

Books you can watch (but read the book first!) - Center family movie nights around the books you're enjoying with discussion questions and a Venn Diagram to compare.

Templates for bookmarks and bookplates - Shower love on the books in your home library with these papercrafts.

Book Bracket and Book Awards - Get your kids talking about books by choosing the best of the best with these printables and directions.

...and SO much more!

This toolkit will motivate your kids to want to read all summer long.

And reading prevents summer slide-the loss of academic gains that happens to many children when they are out of school.

BONUS: Printable Summer Reading Chart

With your download of the Summer Reading Challenge Kit, you'll get this FREE Summer Reading Chart!

The Summer Reading Poster has a place for each book you read this summer. Read every day this summer and color in the books or write the titles as you complete them.

It's your choice! Read aloud together or let your children read independently, and color/mark based on the number of books you read. As long as your child is reading something each day (number of pages, number of minutes, number of chapters, etc.) they will see their bookshelves "grow".

Print the chart at home and print new pages as you complete them. Hang on the wall to see how tall your shelf becomes. Then share your photos with us using #sonlightreadingchallenge.

June - August 2022

Challenge your readers to a fun summer reading contest-and enter to win a FREE Sonlight t-shirt to celebrate your accomplishment!*
How does it work?

1. Enter your email below to download the FREE Summer Reading Challenge Kit and Summer Reading Chart.

2. Read great books (we suggest Sonlight Summer Readers) and record them in the Reading Challenge Chart (located at the end of the Summer Reading Challenge Kit PDF)

3. Once you've completed the Summer Reading Chart, snap a picture with your completed chart and books. Share the photo on your favorite social media channel with hashtags #sonlightstories and #sonlightreadingchallenge and win a free Sonlight t-shirt!* We'll send you an email to remind you of the directions for winning a free t-shirt before the contest closes.

ENTER TO WIN

*No purchase is necessary to enter. Download Sonlight's free Sonlight Reading Challenge Kit at sonlight.com/challenge. Complete the included Summer Reading Chart and share your entry via your favorite social media outlet with hashtags #sonlightstories and #sonlightreadingchallenge. Be sure to tag us (@sonlightcurriculum and @sonlight). All entries must be received by Aug 31, 2022. Contest open to Contiguous US mailing addresses only. All qualifying entries will receive a coupon to redeem their free t-shirt on/around Sept 15, 2022. The cost of shipping the free t-shirt is not included.

Need help choosing great books?

We want children to read good books. There's no need to settle for the fluff in today's best-selling children's books though-you can provide your children with thoughtful, age-appropriate literature that's both edifying and fun! And we've done the work for you!

With Sonlight Summer Readers, you'll find age-appropriate books for elementary, middle, and high school students, for both boys and girls. Purchase these carefully vetted Summer Readers to enjoy yourself now, or save for your children to grow into later. Shop Summer Readers. Be sure to check out our Ultimate Summer Reading list of more than 250 titles recommended by Sonlight families too!

Download the Printable At-Home Reading Kit for Summer or Any Time of the Year

When you combine these printables and suggested activities with great books, suddenly reading isn't a chore or an assignment. It's a pleasure to savor and a vehicle for cherished family memories.

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FREE Downloadable Printable Resource: Summer Reading Challenge Kit

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FREE Downloadable Printable Resource: Summer Reading Challenge Kit - Summer Reading Poster

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Camp BOOK IT!

Parents, join us for Camp BOOK IT! and keep rewarding your kids all summer long. Track and reward your kids' reading for June, July and August in our digital dashboard. When they meet their monthly reading goal, they'll receive a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut! We'll also share fun activities and book recommendations each week to keep the fun going throughout the summer! Enroll today!

Enroll Today!

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Parents, join us for Camp BOOK IT! and keep rewarding your kids all summer long. Track and reward your kids’ reading for June, July and August in our digital dashboard. When they meet their monthly reading goal, they’ll receive a free one-topping Personal Pan Pizza® from Pizza Hut! We’ll also share…

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Summer is a great time to encourage kids to read and actively explore the world. Books can be the perfect springboard to building background knowledge and a love of reading.

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Great Books to Read on the Beach, in a Treehouse, or Under the Covers

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Great Books to Read on the Beach, in a Treehouse, or Under the Covers

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Readers from elementary school to high school will recognize themselves (and their ADHD brains) in these books.

Credit: Malte Mueller/Getty Images

1 of 16

Great Books to Read This Summer

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'Remi in Overdrive' by Ashley Bartley

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'My Wandering Dreaming Mind' by Merriam Sarcia Saunders

4 of 16

'Thank You, Mr. Falker' by Patricia Polacco

5 of 16

'Aaron Slater, Illustrator' by Andrea Beaty

6 of 16

'The Unteachables' by Gordon Korman

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'Guts' by Raina Telgemeier

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'Trouble with a Tiny T' by Merriam Sarcia Saunders

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'Sidetracked' by Diana Harmon Asher

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'I Survived ...' by Lauren Tarshis

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'Kid Innovators: True Tales of Childhood from Inventors and Trailblazers'

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'Fish in a Tree' by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

13 of 16

'The Edge of Anything' by Nora Shalaway Carpenter

14 of 16

'The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily' by Laura Creedle

15 of 16

'Ready Player Two' by Ernest Cline

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'Kat and Meg Conquer the World' by Anna Priemaza

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Great Books to Read on the Beach, in a Treehouse, or Under the Covers

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Books to read this summer for students with ADHD, learning differences, and related conditions, sorted by school grade level.

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With no homework or school to worry about, summer can be the perfect time for kids and teens to crack open a great book. And while beach reads can be a fun escape, sometimes they're more style than substance. That's why we've compiled this list of books frequently featured on teachers' summer reading lists. These must-read books are classics for a reason: They tell compelling stories with unforgettable characters. Whether they're in middle school or high school or just getting started on chapter books, kids, tweens, and teens can use this list to get a jump start on the year ahead. And parents can use it to learn more about the books teachers are assigning their kids over the summer and throughout the school year.

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Common Sense Media editors help you choose Summer Reading List. Get ahead this summer with books on many teachers' must-read lists.