Summer break.

It’s the most anticipated time for students. It’s that classic movie scene showing students staring at the ever-ticking clock, just waiting. Finally, that bell rings and all hell breaks loose as kids stampede through the halls, celebrating the start of their summer.

For parents? The story’s a little different. Sure, at first it sounds great. You’ll get to maybe enjoy the sun, perhaps go on vacation and just maybe even relax a little.

And at the beginning, you might. But it only takes weeks before those glittery hopes of summer dull into dealing with bored children who are somehow still not “too bored to do chores.” And that’s when it hits you: you miss school.

It’s not that you don’t love your children, it’s that both you and your children can only enjoy so many unstructured, unproductive days. Because let’s be honest, trying to entertain your kids for months is exhausting.

Of course, you should spend some time over the summer enjoying each other’s company and vacationing however you’re able. But to keep your sanity in those last pre-fall weeks of summer, we recommend trying out some of these simple, daily activities to keep your child’s brain active and ready for school.

Read!

Studies show that students on average return from summer break one month behind in learning than they were before the break.

Helping your student becoming prepared for the upcoming school year is as simple as setting time aside for reading.

Go to a library and view their summer reading lists. They will give fun, interesting books to read that are at the right reading level for your child.

For those students who aren’t bookworms, this is much easier said than done. Your child does not have to read a book.

Maybe they find the news comics entertaining or like a Children’s Highlights magazine. Whatever gets them reading something other than a Tweet or Snap that’s not filled with ‘texting lingo’ is incredibly productive.

Talk to them about what they read. What did they enjoy about it? What made it funny or sad or feel however they felt? This will help them better comprehend what they’re reading.

Implement math in your daily routines

Math is in everything you do. So why not make it a game?

Going to the store? Have your child see if they can accurately guess the total before the cashier rings you up. If they’re old enough, make sure they include sales tax.

When that gets easy, see if they can get the totals right if the costs were divided two ways, then three ways, then four.

Baking is another great way to implement math. Just for kicks, have them help you double a recipe.

When you play games as a family, try some card games that include math, like Yahtzee, Skip-BO or 31.

Find little ways you can implement math and be sure to include your child whenever possible over the summer.

Get out and explore whenever possible

If you take some time to get outside and engage your mind, it will do much good for everyone in your house, and make your student better prepared in the fall.

Living in Southern California means there are boundless opportunities places to explore.

Head somewhere educational every now and then. A museum, a science center an animal rehabilitation facility can all be great fun while learning something new.

Sign up for a summer learning program

Enrolling your child in a summer learning program will not only help them stay on track for fall, it makes scheduling and implementing routines much more doable.

You know when to plan your vacations based on free time available and routines are set for a couple weeks while your child is enrolled in summer courses.

Whether it’s an academic program or an athletic camp, summer tracks are a great way to keep your child active.

Elite has partnered with multiple schools and vendors throughout Southern California, so you’ll be able to find the right program that’s close by. You can learn more about our Summer Learning Track here.

Quality time makes all the difference

We know your children’s improvements are largely accredited to you.

We also want to thank you for your hard work on behalf of your students. You have changed their lives and changed their future in immeasurable ways.

During the summer, one of the most important things you can do to help your student is to spend quality time with them.

Quality time doesn’t always have to be academic, and certainly doesn’t need to be expensive.

Even if it’s just going to the park and throwing a Frisbee, that creates a child-parent bonding that’s beyond the norm of going to work, coming home, cooking dinner, watching TV and waking up to the same thing.

When you do those kinds of things, your child is more likely to follow through with the things you ask them to do.

Don’t be afraid to use those times as reinforcements. When they do well in math class or have a good behavior report, go and have a day out somewhere like the beach or ride bicycles, something to celebrate the triumphs of the child.

When you do these things, you become more than just someone who is a mom or dad. You become someone your kid appreciates and doesn’t want to let you down.

All we’re saying, really, is to keep doing what you’re doing.