Summer Learning!

5 Things to Know or Do:

1. EXPLORE! Enjoy new learning opportunities, activities, or places.

2. Avoid over scheduling. Less can be more!
3. Kids thrive in routine. Create a summer schedule that can be flexible but has healthy structure to help you and the children in your care have clear expectations and feel successful.
4. Remember that skill building can be done all sorts of ways. You don’t need workbooks and lessons. Instead, try “I spy” and name different colors or use a trip to the grocery store to practice counting and numbers.
5. Take care of yourself. Ensure you get time to fill your own tank! You have more to offer when you prioritize some time to yourself.

 At Home Activities:

• Explore science and technology with STEM projects
  • https://playtolearnpreschool.us/stem-challenges-for-preschoolers/
• Play with peers
  • Get together with other care givers or parents with your children to add new experiences, interactions and valuable connection for you and your children.
• Set daily reading time and develop imagination through story
  • https://www.teachingexpertise.com/classroom-ideas/preschool-books/
• Build a fort and have a picnic or camp in the living room or play center
• Include rest time during the day where you both get time to regroup and give your brains a break
• Cook or bake
  • https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/packages/recipes-for-kids/cooking-with-kids
• Create a summer memory book
  • Make a photo book or picture diary of summer days with the children in your care. Take daily pictures or have child draw a picture with explanation of event or activity. Enjoy adding to it and reading back over it. Creating, recalling, and remembering is a great language activity and develops emotional connection.
• Explore small world play
  • http://littleworldsbigadventures.com/a-beginners-guide-to-small-world-play/
• Play board games and card games (Candy land, Uno, Blink)
• Chalk or paint the sidewalk with water. Enjoy art outdoors where the mess doesn’t matter!
• Plant seeds and monitor growth
• Practice a new, age-appropriate skill (toilet training, sleeping through the night, tying a shoe, catching and kicking a ball, fastening a zipper)
• Engage in home chores (unloading the dishwasher, clean up toys, set the table for dinner, take plates to the sink after a meal)
• Learning new skills and habits supports family and/or class community

 Local Trips:

• Visit a different park each week. Fairfax County Parks
  • https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/
• Splash and swim at the pool or water park
  • https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/watermine
• Take field trips (in person or virtual that interest your child)
• Visit the farm or zoo
  • https://nationalzoo.si.edu
  • https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/frying-pan-park/bluegrass-barn
• Visit the Library
  • https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/events
• Visit interactive museums
  • https://naturalhistory.si.edu
  • https://www.si.edu/museums/air-and-space-museum-udvar-hazy-center

 Reminder to have FUN!

Take an opportunity to engage with the children in your care, explore their interests, introduce them to new things and most importantly have FUN! Your children may not remember everything they did with you, but they will remember how they felt and if they experienced healthy connection and joy. Embrace the opportunities that summer brings!

Fairfax County Public Schools Early Childhood Links:

Previous Early Childhood Tips

Learn More about Fairfax Early Childhood Partnerships

Join the Fairfax Early Childhood Partnership