{"id":174000001450,"date":"2022-05-19T11:05:54","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T15:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/?p=174000001450"},"modified":"2022-05-19T12:49:28","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T16:49:28","slug":"prepping-kids-for-summer-vacation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kidsrkids.com\/avalon-park\/2022\/05\/19\/prepping-kids-for-summer-vacation\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepping Kids For Summer Vacation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer is right around the corner and that means your little ones will have a lot of spare time on their hands and keeping them occupied can be a challenge for some parents.<\/p>\n

In this post, we look at a few helpful ideas to provide your kids with the necessary structure to keep them busy and their minds sharp while having fun in the process.<\/p>\n

\"children<\/h2>\n

Maintain a Schedule<\/h2>\n

One aspect of summer break<\/a> nearly every kid looks forward to is sleeping in. And while it\u2019s okay to allow them to indulge with a few more hours of shuteye occasionally, you want to avoid making it a habit because as summer winds down and the school year approaches, getting them back into a routine will be much more difficult.<\/p>\n

If possible, try to mimic your child\u2019s daily routine when they were in school as closely as possible and that includes when they wake up, when they eat their meals, and when they go to bed. Allowing kids to deviate from their everyday routines can cause behavioral issues when you try to get them back on a regular schedule.<\/p>\n

Maintain Friendships<\/h2>\n

Your child likely developed strong friendships while in school and separating them from their buddies can cause anxiety. So, it\u2019s important to try to help them stay in touch with their classmates during the summer break. Consider scheduling play dates, a day at the park or zoo, or maybe a sleepover to keep friendship bonds secure.<\/p>\n

Minimize Screen Time<\/h2>\n

When kids have large amounts of time on their hands, it\u2019s easy for them to fall into the trap of screen addiction. Even when a child\u2019s life is structured with school and other activities, the ever-present screen is always there.<\/p>\n

While phones and tablets are part of our culture, reducing screen time is beneficial to your child\u2019s physical and mental health. During summer break, it\u2019s tempting to allow your children to overindulge in their electronics like video games and social media as a way to keep them occupied. But according to the Mayo Clinic, too much screen time can be linked to:<\/p>\n