Keep those skills up: 4 ways for kids, families to 'school' this summer

Summer is almost here! Are you already worried about the “summer back-slide” and making sure your kids maintain their skills this summer?

Here are four ideas to keep up those skills and still have fun this summer!

Open-ended outdoor play works on everything from social-emotional skills to math to sensory processing. Does your child need some help getting started? Grab some branches or wood planks and a tarp or old sheet and let you child (independently or with siblings or friends) work on building a fort or lean-to.

It works on math skills, physics, gross motor development, regulation, resilience, teamwork, and many other skills! Parents: Sit back and enjoy a cool drink! Let the kids figure things out for themselves!

For older kids, have them try writing on the slime or on a paper over the top of Play-doh (slime works as long as it isn’t too sticky!!). This works on fine motor control and sensory skills!

Raleigh has fabulous FREE museums! Pick one and do a museum treasure hunt. Have them make a list of things to look for and then a plan for how to find them. This works on organization, problem-solving, visual perceptual skills, and much more!