Summer Contracts

Moms, concerned with your child’s LACK of learning over the past few months????

Did the COVID-19 put a halt on your child’s education, and the future isn’t looking good?

Summer is here!!

If the past few months have NOT been filled with learning as you expected,

IT IS NOT TOO LATE.- because SUMMER. IS. HERE!

GREAT… BUT How does summer help me with schooling…?? Glad you asked!

Get intentional with HOW you spend your summer hours. Well, to be more exact, how your kids spend their summer hours. Being in the education field for over thirty years, the idea of “contracts” was introduced to me in a Montessori setting where I developed a love for child-led learning. This idea of “contracts” allows each child to guide their learning. It is a checklist of subjects (responsibilities) to be completed each week.

Summer Contracts are constructed in a variety of ways. First, generate a list that includes fun activities, places to visit, goals, dreams, reading lists and even chores and sleep schedule. Tweak it to fit your children. We use contracts during the school year as homeschoolers; although, our summer contract looks different.

Whether summer started last month, last week, or tomorrow, it is NEVER too late or too early. I am all for fresh starts. Today, YOU have the power to create what will unfold during the next few months. You are MOM! This is especially great for tweens and teens, although never underestimate the power of those elementary years or toddlers.

Time to create a “Summer Contract”….. or “Summer Bucket List”

A “Summer Contract” is anything you want it to be, a bucket list, reading list, goals…. Anything.

Shhhhh!!!! Want to know a secret?

Constructing a Summer Bucket list is a sneaky way of camouflaging education during the coveted summer months. As moms, we need to get smart. It can be done in a fluid, fun and flexible manner to engage the child, not as a punishment.

1) Decide what YOU want them to accomplish this summer. Do they struggle in reading? Math? Do they need detailed instructions? Less structured atmosphere? Due to Covid-19 summer might be different. Create your list, but don’t show them yet. Allow them the space to develop their own first.

2) Student (aka your child), builds a bucket list for the summer—practical things they want to do and learn. Give them ideas to start the creative juices flowing; learn a foreign language, online art class, places to go, recipes to try, backyard camping, rearranging bedroom space…. The sky is the limit during the brainstorming phase. You can learn tons of new skills on YouTube. If you have toddlers, encourage them to join through drawing pictures. Get the whole family involved.

3) Merge the list and decide what makes the cut- combine ideas, chores and educational activities. If they need to strengthen their reading skills, find good books or games to enhance reading comprehension. Keep their math skills up with board games or video games that develop math skills. Learning games are a great use of screen time during the summer months. Use this opportunity to strengthen academic skills interwoven with the relaxation of summertime.

4) Daily unwrap the plan- Type it out. Live it out. Embrace the warmth of exploring, growing, expanding through various intentional activities. Education can happen in a natural and planned setting. Each week invites new opportunities to learn through multiple avenues and resources.

Having an intentional summer begins with a plan, adding hidden pockets of learning sprinkled throughout the summer.

The idea of a BUCKET LIST sets an exciting atmosphere to jump-start your summer. When learning and/or chores come in a different package and includes their voice, buy-in becomes the outcome.

Live Intentionally