Wide-open….that is what our summer schedule looks like.

For parents, this wide-open schedule is both a gift and an overwhelming problem.

What are parents supposed to do with their kids all summer?   

How many days can children binge watch Netflix before it adversely impacts child development?  

Is it harmful to play 8 hours of video games every day?

At what age is it okay to let my child roam the neighborhood on their bike?  

These are typical questions parents ask themselves every summer break, but after months of sheltering-in-place, parents might feel an extra burden to find answers.  With many homes already feeling like a pressure cooker, parents may wonder how they will survive the summer.  How can parents relieve some of the pressure?  There is no magic, one-size-fits-all solution for the summer struggle, but there are resources and tips to help families thrive in the summer.  CCA will be sharing some of these resources and tips on this blog throughout the summer. 

The first resource is an educational website created by Common Sense Media and a conglomerate of leading educational, media, and technology organizations. The group initially developed WideOpenSchool.org to assist parents and educators with remote learning, but it is also a valuable tool for parents to utilize in the summer. It is a free, online collection of learning experiences, including subjects like:

• Reading, writing, math, English, science, and social studies

• Arts, music, and DIY

• Physical activities

• Life skills

• Emotional well-being

• Virtual field trips

• Live events

• Learning differences

Families can access at home workouts with NBA players, attend virtual concerts, or find out how far a sneeze travels. It is worth the time to check it out. Don’t forget to implement parental controls on internet access for your children. Protect Young Eyes is an excellent resource to learn about internet safety. 

Stay tuned for more summer resources and tips coming your way soon. 

Happy Summer!