Summer FUN "Homework"

Studies show that children digress over the summer months in reading and writing. In the fall when school begins the first month is spent reviewing what they learned the year before. My oldest son, who is on the Autism Spectrum, has a hard time during breaks from school because once a routine has been established it becomes his lifeline. Most children on the spectrum thrive when a routine is established and once a routine is disrupted the child will begin to have breakdowns, anxiety or stemming behaviors become apparent.  

I prefer to keep the routine of doing school work going during the summer months so that when the fall approaches and we dive head first into homework every night it will be easier for everyone, no whining or breakdowns from either of my children. This is a lesson I’ve learned the hard way. Setting up a summer routine of reading and writing is giving your child a huge advantage when the next school year begins.

This year I’ve decided to try a new approach to summer homework and instead of worksheets and online learning games I created a Summer Fun-work Jar. Every day the children must read a book, practice the recorder, and pick a piece of paper from the Summer Fun-work jar. In the jar I’ve created math problems, writing assignments, creative activities that incorporate drawing, math and writing.

It could also be used as an “I’m Bored Jar”. It’s bound to happen- around mid July the kids will be fighting and will be bored of the outdoor pool, friends will be on vacation so play dates will become sparse and you’ll have to listen to the dreaded words “I’m bored!”, several times a day. To avoid complaining from the kids tell them about the jar over dinner and discuss what is expected of them. Create a schedule of when the child must complete the work, some projects take a little bit longer than others.   

Here is a PDF of my Summer Fun-work.