What We're Prioritizing this Summer

Plus, your tool kit and a plan for when days feel long. Learn better. Play smarter. | [View this email in your browser]( Parenting made simpler. Written by experts. Designed for intentional parents. Be a Plinkit Pro Thank you for reading! This newsletter is made possible through Plinkit Pro membership support. Please consider being a [PLINKIT PRO]( if you aren't already, to enjoy access to all our expert guidance. Your support is how we keep things going. Or, [email us](mailto:hello@myplinkit.com) to find out how your entire school or workplace can benefit from [PLINKIT PRO.]( [BE A PLINKIT PRO]( Summer Forecast: Play! (Plus, A Tool Kit for When Days Feel Long) As summer rolls around, we’re often asked (and teachers too during parent-teacher conferences), "Do you have any suggestions for what my child can work on over the summer?" Our answer: Free play! Nothing organized, nothing structured, just free play. Outdoors is even better. Play is how children learn. It’s their time to exercise creativity, negotiate ideas, make decisions, express feelings, develop empathy, control their impulses, solve problems, learn to listen, discover their own boundaries and so much more. Research proves that free play is crucial and necessary for optimal child development, but it often gets short-changed in our modern, busy lifestyles. So, we’re prioritizing plenty of free play this summer. But, even for the best of us, summer holidays can feel long. Here’s a summer tool kit for handling all kinds of tricky situations: When days feel too long: Try our [Sensible Structure]( - a step-by-step guide to creating a daily schedule that balances play and learning in a task-oriented way. (Our #1 printable requested by homeschooling families with preschoolers.) When "I’m bored" feels like nails on a chalkboard: Remind your child that [they can move through boredom.]( (Pro tip: Being consistent with your response with something like, "I’m sure you’ll think of something creative to do soon," signals to your child that you believe they're capable of figuring it out on their own. Having our Boredom Buster Bingo printable at-the-ready also helps.) When bickering reaches new heights: - Remember our [5 steps to handling sibling fights,]( and that it’s OK to have moments when we don't get along. (Here’s[what you can do for sibling rivalry specifically.]( Children want to feel seen and heard - whether by us, their siblings or their peers. - Teach your child the difference between [Tattling vs. Telling]( to encourage independent problem-solving. (Tattling can be shaped by your response to their tattling.) - Encourage your child to try "Three before Me". Using the [Wheel of Choices]( can empower your child to tackle social conflict on their own. When eye-rolling and snarky language become a thing: Here's some strategies for [preschoolers]( and for [school-aged children.]( Regardless of your child’s age, when a child speaks using a disrespectful tone or language, it’s often a sign that they're struggling and need support. Knowing this can help you craft a response that addresses the core issue, instead of reacting to the tone/choice of words. When looking to nurture 'skills': We like using the summer to build key life readiness skills like: - [Introducing chores]( - We suggest these be unpaid. Read our article to learn why. - [Building independence]( - This doesn’t happen overnight. Creating opportunities for independence requires intentionality and a scaffolding of several foundational skills. We’ve laid it all out in a roadmap. - [Creating an Awesome Allowance System]( - We suggest avoiding giving money passively. Our approach to allowance is about giving your child practice in setting financial goals, making hard choices and understanding the value of money. Keep reading below for more playful activities to add to your summer docket. We hope you get a chance to take your foot off the gas pedal for a bit, play in the sunshine, listen for the ice cream truck and muck about in the dirt with your little ones. LEARN + DO [Activities and Games You Can Do at Home to Support Your Child's Learning]( For rainy days, for caregivers, for grandparents, for babysitters - a go-to list of curated learning projects, activities and games. Specifically helpful for those with preschoolers and emerging learners. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F03%2Factivities-games-you-can-do-at-home%2F) [Share]( LEARN + DO [Easy/No-Prep, Self-Directed Activities]( For when you need to jump on a call or attend to a quick activity, just ask your child to draw from a bag of these at-the-ready activities. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F04%2Feasy-no-prep-self-directed-activities-child-can-do-at-home%2F) [Share]( LEARN + DO [24 Clever + Creative Project-Based Learning Ideas]( For when you need inspiration to fuel your child’s critical thinking and creativity, here’s a month’s worth of projects from a collective of teachers. Excellent for school-aged children. [READ MORE]( [Forward](mailto:?subject=Something%20Interesting%20from%20Plinkit&body=I%20found%20this%20Plinkit%20article%20interesting%20and%20thought%20you%20would%20too.%20Check%20it%20out%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fmyplinkit.com%2F2020%2F06%2Fproject-based-learning-ideas%2F) [Share]( SHOP + PLAY [Kid Stilts]( A staple that inspires children to get brilliantly creative with how they move. Builds strength, balance and coordination. One look and everyone wants to try! [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Flybar Pogo Jumper]( Irresistibly loved by all ages. Excellent for naturally developing balance and coordination. [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Jumbo Magnifying Glass]( Timeless. A window to a world that your child has never seen before. [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Koosh Paddle Playset]( Did you know that hitting a moving object is one of the hardest motor skills to develop? It's all that tricky hand-eye coordination and visual-spatial awareness. This trampoline racquet and koosh ball are supremely fun. [BUY NOW]( SHOP + PLAY [Flying Turtle Sit Skate]( Relays. Obstacle courses. Zig zags. Twists. Turns. Speed. Reasonable risk. It's all things fun in childhood. Kids won’t even realize that it builds their body awareness and core stability. [BUY NOW]( Learn better. Play smarter. [EXPLORE OUR TOPICS]( FOLLOW US: If you liked what you read, FORWARD to a friend! Our content is written in partnership with the best child development experts. 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