After enjoying weeks of summer break with a “do-nothing attitude,” are we there yet? Have we reached the stage saying it’s boring? Has the pleasure of doing nothing worn thin? Summer vacation is almost three months long; at times, it may feel like forever, and other times, it’s over way too soon.

Summer is the time when the rigor of academic structure needs to ease. Our kids need to use this period to breathe deep, mentally and physically, to think creatively. After all, one can reflect and let imagination flow only in crazy lazy moments.

On reflection, in our overstressed fast-moving society, being bored may have its advantages. At times, we should worry about kids who are so over-programmed that they’re never given the opportunity to simply do nothing, to daydream or to use their imagination. However, it’s much harder for children to entertain themselves today than in previous generations. The obvious culprit is overexposure to media. Kids who spend too much time in front of TV will have difficulty entertaining themselves or thinking creatively. Don’t worry. As soon as the TV is turned off, they’ll find a way to get “un-bored.”

The most joyous warm-weather family activities can be opportunities for learning and skill buildings. It’s possible time to make a meaningful difference in your children’s life without overwhelming them, if you find right tool to entertain, educate and encourage them. The way to manage summers’ lack of structure is to strike a balance between free time and planned time, and it’s going to require parents’ time, attention and patience. Use community resources to keep children engaged. Take advantage of the summer recreational and educational opportunities.

Help children complete their summer reading list by taking them to the library and asking them to write book reports. Help them improve their writing skills and explore imagination by assigning them variety of topics to write. They may surprise you by their thinking ability, skills and imaginations. You may feel much rewarded.

I asked my 8-year-old granddaughter, Leela, who is ready to enter her third grade, about her summer vacation scholastic activities. She said, “I attend daytime camp, have a scheduled playtime and TV time, and then I have books to read. I love to read, Grandma.” When I asked, “How about writing?” she responded, “I don’t like to write; writing is hard.” Persisting that she could start small and keep it simple, I asked her to just keep a notebook and jot down, after she reads each book, the title of the book, author, the main characters, a couple of sentences about what the book was about, and then what she liked and disliked about the book or particular characters. Since she didn’t agree very enthusiastically, I changed the subject matter. However in the next conversation, when I retraced the matter, she told me that her mother has given her a diary and required each day journal entry.

If possible parent should provide a sample and provide practice session to help reinforce that writing requires regular effort and it gets better with practice. Parents should talk with their children about how even good writers produce a lot of junk before they learn to craft something worth publishing and praising the children for every little piece they write and then encouraging them with positively critiquing their writing, keeping their age and standard in mind.

My experience tells me that most children don’t like to write, for writing is a hard work. However, if we encourage them to the task at an early age and start small, once they adapt to it and their creativity start flourishing, their attitude towards writing changes. Their creative power keeps them productively engaged. As they realize that in order to keep writing, they’ll have to keep reading as well. And they’re voluntarily away from TV and cyber hazards and thus away from the world of trouble and negative influence. It’s a win/win summer strategy for both children and parents. And parents’ hair will have to wait for nature’s process to turning it gray.

Mandakini Hiremath is a Claflin instructor and coordinator of the university’s writing center.

You must be logged in to comment.