Small steps Big Summer goals

Summer Goals

The school year can really set the tone for our summer with the children. When school finishes the children (and the parents) are exhausted. Holidays and rest and a step out of school routine are all high on the priority list. For some it is the only thing on the to do list.

After scheduling camps, organizing the parenting/working struggle, scheduled the child care and potentially a holiday or outings or trips to see family we then may just have enough time to reflect on the academic year.

We start to think about what worked and what did not work. What was the thing that caused so many arguments or stressed out moments. What was the behaviour that the school mentioned in the report, what is something that would give you more time at home if the child could do with out your constant asking or support. What is the one thing that really upset your child throughout the school year. It could be perhaps that it takes them a long time to get dressed in the morning or are the last to change in school. Perhaps it is their handwriting or being behind on spelling or time tables. Perhaps the teacher suggested that they read a little more. It might be that they are overscheduled and just in need of rest and play throughout the summer. Potentially it is being able to tie their own shoes or do their own hair. One area that has been a priority for a few clients this summer is focusing on friendships – expanding their social groups, spending time with new friends, doing some social homework and seeing how they can improve their social time. For others it is to work on their organizational skills.

If there is something that you can think of that was ongoing over the school year, pick one skill that may give you time as a parent – give you the time because your child can do something by themselves, or can respond to instructions straight way, or finds a school skill a little easier so homework is just a little quicker and easier.

We often discuss this at Clever Tortoise we can not do it all and time is so precious and the mental load is heavy so this summer pick one thing not everything. Soemthing that would be a gift to both you as a parent and the child and pick a time every week day that you are going to work on that skill for 15 minutes. You will teach your daughter to tie a pony tail or two. You will teach a child to tie their shoes laces or pack their school bag by themselves. Or perhaps you will set a 15 minute timer and your child will practice times tables or their spellings. Once a week you will organize a play date with someone of your child’s choice or complete an activity that a peer of her child’s enjoys so they can talk to someone about something new.

Perhaps you will sit with your child and discuss their schedule and choose together what you will continue and what you will let go for the coming term  This might reduce the tiredness and over scheduling for the coming term and let your child rest and play over the summer holidays to be ready for September.

Perhaps you are going to prioritise study so your child has less pressure for homework and tutoring come September or bank some family time as it can be tricky in the academic term.

Whatever you choose for small steps to make a big impact make sure you make a consistent plan to achieve your goal, maybe build in some motivation for you and the child. If it helps check out the reinforcement charts on the website for tracking your progress,

Remember the goal is one skill, practiced consistently to turn in to less stress and more time in the academic year ahead.