Your Family Today: Parenting

By the editors of Your Family Today for Your Family Today

School's out for summer … so why aren’t your kids jumping for joy? Many children, especially young ones, have difficulty switching from the structure of school to the freedom of summer, according to Patti Zomber, Ph.D., a child psychologist in Los Angeles. Here are some strategies to make the transition as smooth as possible:

Say goodbye to school "Younger kids make deep attachments to their teachers," says Zomber. So encourage them to make a gift, take a photo or write a letter to say goodbye to their teachers.

Stay connected Parents sometimes underestimate the close bonds that their kids have to their friends. Even first graders keep in touch through email and phone calls. It's important to help kids stay connected to friends over the summer. "Get involved in the parent network to stay in touch with what the kids are doing and even plan some group outings," suggests Zomber. "It's great to help kids get together for a day at the park or beach, a party or just doing a craft at home.”

Get creative Put away the pencils and erasers and pull out the markers, glitter, glue sticks and construction paper. Summer is a time for kids to enjoy unstructured activities. "Activities that are more child-directed, like making scrapbooks or designing a calendar for the summer, are all things that allow for creativity,” says Zomber. “These creative activities can help kids express themselves during the transition.”

Close the books Are your kids eager to learn? Leave the books behind and help them explore and experience the world around him. Guide them toward more active, exploratory types of learning. "Enroll kids in a science workshop or a drama class, where they are free to cultivate new interests," says Zomber.

Go with the flow Let your kids lead the way in summer fun and activities -- and play along with them. If they want to blow bubbles, pick up a wand. If they like to stargaze, pack up some treats and blankets and head for the park. Be flexible. "Less agenda is better than more agenda," says Zomber. "Invite yourself into your kids' space. That's where the real opportunity lies."

Find a balance Kids need social experiences, such as camp and sleepovers to make the transition from the social environment of school. But the joy of summer is that the days aren't jam-packed with activities. Open-ended time together, just kicking back with family, is priceless. So do a little of each.

Work together Kids in early elementary school are particularly interested in developing skills and achieving -- even outside of school. They are becoming aware of what they are good at, and they compare themselves to their peers. So don’t be surprised to hear questions like, "How big of a splash was that?" or "Who can run fastest to the car?" If your child needs to feel a sense of accomplishment over the summer, dream up a special project you can work on together. Or pick up a hobby that is new to both of you.

Do something good As kids mature, their curiosity deepens. Intellectually, 9- to 12-year olds are ready for about everything. Summer is the perfect time to broaden their horizons and get them involved in community service. Make it a family affair and include them in the discussion of how to help others. The possibilities are endless. Take part in a beach cleanup day. Help serve a meal at a homeless shelter. Collect books for a school library. Make baskets to give to the elderly in a nursing home. Choose activities that are concrete and offer direct service, Zomber suggests, so kids see the faces of those they are helping and know that they can have an impact.