How To Create A Balanced Schedule For Your Kids & Babysitter This Summer

Summer is a time for kids to enjoy time off from school. As a parent, you want your child to have fun but still keep some sort of structure so they can retain the learning they did during the school year.  Striking a balance between fun and structure will allow your kid to have fun while still maintaining their growth and learning.

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Schedule screentime

During the school year, you may want to have strict screentime rules for your child. While you still want your child to have limited screentime, you may allow a bit more over the summer. Be sure to set expectations for your babysitter, from screentime length to types of media allowed. Screentime in excess is not healthy for kids, but a bit more over the summer is okay, especially when it is raining outside.

Meal time

When creating a schedule, it can be easy to overlook times to eat, whether that means a meal or a snack. Make sure you schedule time to eat, including time for the babysitter to prepare the meal. You may even have your babysitter and child work together to create the meal. This allows your child to learn about cooking and math in a hands-on way. Mealtime also allows everyone to stay high-energy and in a good mood.

Embrace your child’s independence

While it is good to plan things with your babysitter, it is also good to allow your child to be independent. Schedule some time each day for your child to choose something to do. Letting them lead an activity allows them to gain confidence. You may even opt to have them choose the order of the planned activities, helping only when needed and asked. Another way to foster your child’s independence is to allow your child to clean up between activities. Plan for time to have your child pick up after themselves.

Creative play

Creative play allows your child to learn while having fun. Schedule creative play, whether it is dress up or an art project, to help your child have fun while learning and being creative. There are several types of creative play, including music, science experiments, and storytelling. These things allow the child to explore different aspects of the world in a fun, safe way. Choose things that your child is interested in as well as things from school they may need some extra support with. This way, they can be ready for the new school year.

Prepare an activity box

Work with your babysitter to create an activity box for your kids to access over the summer. Having a box allows you to have control over what your babysitter and kids do, but it allows for options for what they want to do each day. The box can include things for imaginary play, games, building blocks, or crafts. Each week, check the box to see if you need to get any more supplies, especially if you have arts and crafts in the box. The activities should have physical items, avoiding screen time while the kids are doing activities. Your child and babysitter can choose whatever activities they want in the box, mixing things up each day. You can even mix up the box’s contents every day to keep things interesting.

Summer workbooks

There are a variety of workbooks for kids of all ages. Schedule time each day for your child and babysitter to work through the workbooks. Have them do one page a day so they can keep their learning from the school year without overwhelming them with schoolwork over the summer. Have your babysitter check the kids’ work and then allow them to do something fun. Your babysitter can help them or use the time to prep other activities.

Everyday educational moments

Even in the moments between activities, when your kids and babysitter are taking a break, your kids can still be learning. For young, preschool-aged children, the babysitter can point to different shapes and colors around the house and see if your kid knows what they are. They can play “I Spy” or play various word games. This way, your kids are still learning, even when they are in a more relaxed state between scheduled activities.

Scheduled reading time

Reading is a crucial skill for kids that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Allow your child to read whatever kind of material they want, from magazines to books. You may even have your babysitter read to your child. Your babysitter may also read what your child is reading so they can discuss it. Many libraries and bookstores have summer reading, so encourage your babysitter to work with your child to complete these activities. Your babysitter can even take your kids to the library for their programs and to check out books.

Summer is a time for kids to be relaxed, but they can still use this time to be engaged and continue to learn.