Summer routines for children: how to organise their holidays

Summer: The most anticipated time of year for children. Almost three months of vacation, without school, without obligations. It's time to play outside, to relax, to go to the pool and the beach with friends … But, during this oasis, we should not forget how important it is to maintain some basic rules of coexistence. 

How to get children to take part in household tasks

From early childhood, we have to instil in them the importance of helping with household chores, while always adapting what we ask of them to their age. They should not see it as an imposition, but as a way of gradually introducing themselves into "adult life". 

A first step is to define what their responsibilities are and when they have to do each task: from putting dirty clothes in the basket or dishes in the dishwasher to tidying up their room or sweeping the living room. Summer is the perfect time to include these tasks, as children have more time and flexibility.

Keys to foment your children`s independence in summer

• Maintain a routine: Holidays should not be synonymous with lack of control though schedules  are allowed to be more flexible than in winter. Having a routine provides children with a structure that encourages their independence and makes them able to better manage their time, as well as providing them with security and allowing them to develop healthy habits.
• Encourage them to take part in decision-making: For example, allow them to draw up the meal menu one day a week, to prepare their own snacks or to decide what to wear every afternoon to go out.
• Start letting go: Although it can be a little scary at first, it is important that, depending on the age and their environment, you start giving your children more and more freedom of movement. For example, let them buy the bread one day, allow them to stay out playing with their friends or gradually lengthen their hours back home.

Ideas to get your children to learn new things without screens

Summer is also a good time to review what they have studied during the school year and consolidate any learning that implied greater difficulty. 

What’s more, limiting the use of screens is always advisable. A good alternative is to dedicate time to reading, setting a time for it each day. A habit that you should try to keep up in their routines for the winter. 

And although it may seem a cliché, it is not a bad thing for children to be bored at some time. In fact, it is essential for the development of their imagination and creativity and for fostering tolerance to frustration and getting them to not always rely on adults or machines for entertainment.

Time to rest and quality time as a family

Summer is a time to take advantage of the opportunity to relax away from routine and work stress. These holiday weeks are perfect for a family getaway, learning new board games or starting hobbies all together.  

An idea that never fails to please is preparing the afternoon snack with the children. Reminding them to drink water and eat fruit is important, but so is teaching them that this doesn't have to be boring. You can add it to the diet by preparing banana-based ice creams together and combining it with favourite flavours. In this way, you encourage children's creativity and participation, while keeping them entertained. 

Finally, to maintain harmony, it is necessary to follow sleep schedules. In summer people commonly forget their sleeping habits, lengthening the nights and shortening the mornings, but you should not forget the importance of sleeping eight hours and maintaining a sleep routine, even if it is much more flexible than in winter. Following a kind of "ritual" before bedtime, whenever possible, is very favourable for children. For example: showering, brushing your teeth, reading for a while, and then going to sleep.