We Don’t Need to Stress About ‘Catching Up’ Our Kids Academically This Summer

As the school year wraps up, many parents find themselves anxious about the upcoming academic year. The lengthy summer can feel overwhelming when you’re concerned about your child’s educational progress. The fear of “summer slide,” where kids forget what they learned, looms large—especially after the unique challenges presented by the pandemic. The conclusion of the 2019 school year was chaotic, and while 2020 brought some improvements, it still had its hurdles. Naturally, parents are worried about any academic gaps their children might face as they approach the 2021 school year. However, this summer, let’s focus on prioritizing joy and relaxation. Engaging in outdoor activities, playing, and simply unwinding are essential after the tumultuous school year our kids have endured.

This past year has been particularly tough for students in numerous ways. It’s entirely understandable to notice what our children may have missed and feel the need to address it. As parents, we often fret about potential regression during the summer months. For many kids, this past school year has felt like a significant setback. Although it may seem wise to spend the summer trying to compensate for lost learning, that’s not the right mindset for this year. The struggles faced throughout the school year were profound, and our kids need more downtime than usual. While academics are important, there’s ample time for them to learn spelling, math, or whatever else they may need.

My daughter is wrapping up her first grade year. We reside in San Francisco, where remote learning was the norm for a significant part of the year. Even when schools reopened, her school opted to stay online. Learning first grade material through a screen can be a daunting task, especially for young kids with short attention spans. It’s tough to grasp foundational concepts when learning remotely. My daughter has done remarkably well, but that doesn’t negate the difficulties she faced.

I’ve never been one for strict screen time limits, but this year, that rule has changed. She now has at least an hour of screen-free time daily, but other than that, we allow for more flexibility. Living in a compact apartment, the opportunities for outdoor play were scarce during much of the school year. This summer, while we won’t drastically alter her screen time, we’ll aim for a better balance between screen use and other activities.

“Engaging in physical activity, enjoying nature, free play, and exploring new skills are vital components of summer,” says Sarah Mitchell, a child development expert. I’m grateful we’ll have more chances to enjoy the outdoors this summer. My partner has been taking our daughter to the park after school to let her burn off some energy with friends. One of the toughest aspects of this year has been the lack of physical outlets. Children need space to run, climb, and play, especially after the challenging year they’ve had.

When she was attending in-person school, there were ample opportunities for recess and physical education. In virtual school, her teacher implemented “wiggle breaks,” allowing the kids to move around. However, with summer upon us, it’s crucial to ensure she gets outside as often as possible. Fresh air will benefit us all.

Mitchell also emphasized the significance of kids spending time with peers this summer. “Children need interaction with other kids to develop essential social and communication skills,” she noted. My daughter needs to have fun with her friends, especially after mainly interacting through screens. This summer, we’ll prioritize safe gatherings at the park and arrange playdates when feasible. Observing her engage with other kids serves as a reminder of what they’ve all missed this year. They seem to have forgotten some of the social skills they need, which can be brushed up through interaction.

Our main goal this summer is simply to enjoy our time together and embrace spontaneity. During the school year, we found that creating a daily schedule helped manage virtual learning. While we included downtime, it was contingent on completing schoolwork first. This summer, I want to encourage as much unstructured time as possible. I hope for days where she can lounge in her pajamas if she wishes. Emphasizing relaxation is crucial this year; it’s a valuable lesson that after hard work, one must also rest.

Kids have faced immense challenges this school year. While some may need academic preparation for the next year, we must also allow them to be children again. They deserve the opportunity to play and enjoy their summer. As Mr. Rogers wisely said, “Play is the work of childhood,” and this summer, nothing could be more important than allowing them to engage in that work.

For more insights, check out this related article. If you’re interested in more information about home insemination, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource on this topic, and you can learn more about artificial insemination on Wikipedia.

Search Queries:

Summary:

As summer approaches, it’s crucial for parents to prioritize fun and relaxation for their children rather than stressing about catching up academically. The past school year has been filled with challenges, and kids deserve time to decompress and enjoy being kids. There’s plenty of time to address academic needs later, but this summer should focus on play, outdoor activities, and social interactions with peers.

Keyphrase: “catching up kids academically”

Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]