Summer is in full swing and it’s a perfect time to make special memories with your family. As parents and caregivers we have the gift of helping to shape the memories of our children. While not all experiences you have over the summer will be picture-perfect, you are teaching your child how to handle both positive and challenging experiences. Even if dad or mom gets frustrated setting up the badminton net, you can still come back for some serious fun. You can even laugh later about how crazy daddy got when the net wouldn’t stay up! Check out the following articles about helping your children develop memories through rituals, the importance of being present in the moment with your child, and making the everyday moments become extraordinary.
The Importance of Making Memories With Our Children
Not only will you be rewarded with the smiles and fun memories from time spent together, but you are contributing to your children’s social – emotional development.
Importance of Family time on Kids Mental Health and Adjustment to Life
Memories come in all shapes and sizes. They can be big adventures, traveling somewhere new, doing something you’ve never done before, and maybe even conquering a fear together. (Zip lining from some crazy height would be one such fear in my books). But memories don’t have to constitute something big, it can be as simple (and inexpensive) as picking out some books at the library and reading them together.
Here are some additional ideas to spark your creative juices:
- Create a journal focusing on summer fun. It could be a scrapbook, photo album, or even hand -drawn pictures with captions.
Beginning Art Journaling for Kids
- Grab some books, pick a comfy spot, snuggle up and read together.
- Family movie or TV night.
- Do some creative planning for that long car ride. (Save yourself!)
- Play, play and play some more!
Why Children Play: The Serious Business of Having Fun
- If you still are having trouble coming up with some fun activities here are a few more:
100 Summer Fun Ideas for Kids and Parents
Happy Memory Making from all of us at the Portsmouth Neuropsychology Center!
