Whether we like it or not, it’s Back to School time. I’m sure your social media feed is full of posts about getting the kids ready, ads for school supplies, and sad laments about summer ending. This post is going to be slightly different. Both by looking on the calendar and at the weather outside, we know that summer is not actually over yet. It’s only the break from school that is over. So how do we extend this last month of summer and enjoy every bit of it when kids, and some of us, are back in school?
This is how.
While there may not be lazy days of sleeping in or the excitement of going to the local pool, there are plenty of ways we can take advantage of these warm days. I mean, it’s pretty hard to convince me that it’s fall when I’m sweating through my shorts and sticking to the bleacher seats at the first football game. Yes, fall sports and activities are starting. Yes, you don’t have AS much time as you did during the summer break. You can still fit in what you can when you can.
The key is, once again, the schedule. Do you have 30 minutes in the evening that will probably be spent in front of the TV, phone or video games? Get outside and play a game in the yard or go for a walk. If your day involves getting home from work, trying to throw some sort of dinner together, and rushing off to an activity, consider eating outside. Weekends are still good for going to parks, for hikes, kayaking, or any number of outdoor activities.
Think about your favorite summer activities. How can you do those a few more times? Is it on the weekends? The one evening a week that you don’t have sports or activities? Let’s not mourn the end of summer just because of a change in our routine. Continuing to get outside and do some of those summer things can set up you for being more likely to get outdoors as the weather cools off.
Finally, my last encouragement to keep the kids outside and moving has to do with school. Research has shown that when children are active for short periods during the school day, they will be better able to focus, have fewer behavioral issues, have better grades, are more likely to make better choices in foods, and are overall happier than children who do not have those physical activity breaks. For this reason, I encourage teachers, associates, school administrators, parents, caregivers—everyone who is working with students—to get them outside even for 5 minutes a couple of times a day. If outside isn’t an option, a few minutes of some physical activity inside can help. Can the kids do lunch outside? Have one of their classes outside? Are you willing to sacrifice 5 minutes of lesson to time have them run a lap around the building knowing they will be more focused when they come back, and you will still be able to get your lesson in?
Parents—let them run. When they get home from school or their childcare, I know it is tempting to go right into homework or chores but give them time to unwind and switch gears if they need it and then get them outside. Five minutes counts. I am not an expert in your family. I don’t know your needs or routines. I do know that outside time and physical activity is as important as a meal. And you wouldn’t not feed them, so why would you not get them outside and moving?
Let’s make summer last this year! Enjoy those sunsets! Maybe sunrises if you have a child that wakes up early. Soak up every last bit of warmth and sunshine! Don’t let the start of school limit your summer fun!
Peace and Sunshine from The Edge,
Julia
