MORE TIPS ON “KEEPING YOUR CHILD OCCUPIED” DURING SUMMER

WITH AT LEAST ANOTHER THREE (3) WEEKS TO GO BEFORE THE END OF YOUR CHILD’S VACATION AND MOST SUMMER SCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMES HAVING COME TO AN END, MANY PARENTS ARE AT A LOSS AS TO HOW TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN BUSY AND OUT OF TROUBLE, IN AN AFFORDABLE WAY. NO DOUBT YOUR TELEPHONE, LIGHT, AND FOOD BILLS HAVE ALREADY INCREASED DUE TO THE CHILDREN’S INCREASED FREE TIME. YOUR BEST BET TO KEEPING YOUR BILL DOWN AND YOUR CHILD OUT OF TROUBLE IS BY KEEPING THEM OCCUPIED. HERE ARE SOME TIPS THAT SERVE JUST THAT PURPOSE:

1. GIVE THEM ASSIGNMENTS DAILY

2. TALK TO THEM ABOUT A SUMMER PROJECT EG. RESEARCH ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH INCLUDES WATCH A SEED GERMINATE, AND TAKING CARE OF A PLANT

3. ARRANGE FOR AN ADULT TO SUPERVISE THEM DURING THE DAY

4. IF ALLOWED, TAKE THEM TO WORK WITH YOU SOME DAYS AND LET THEM SEE WHAT YOU DO. IF YOUR JOB DOESN’T INTEREST THEM, THEN ASK A FRIEND

5. ENCOURAGE THEM TO BECOME SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE, FOR EXAMPLE BY VISITING A NURSING HOME ONCE A WEEK, ETC

6. GIVE THEM PRACTICE AT TAKING CARE OF THE HOUSE – LET THEM PERFORM AGE SPECIFIC CHORES, SUCH AS, MEAL PLANNING AND PREPARATION IN THE CASE OF PRE-TEENS AND TEENS

7. INSIST THAT THEY LEARN SOMETHING NEW, SUCH AS, COOKING, BY USING RECIPES FROM A COOKBOOK, OR A NEW GAME

8. ENCOURAGE THEM TO SOCIALISE WITH THEIR FRIENDS IN A SUPERVISED ENVIRONMENT

9. HELP THEM PREPARE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL TERM BY BUYING TEXT BOOKS EARLY AND INSISTING THAT THEY START WORKING ON AREAS TO BE COVERED IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. GIVE POP QUIZES AND ASSIGNMENTS

10. IF THEY HAVE YOUNGER SIBLINGS OFFER THEM INCENTIVES/REWARDS FOR BABY SITTING

Tell us what issues you want addressed

Send e-mail to: cacjam@infochan.com or star@gleaner.com

Write to us at: 1B Holborn Road, Kingston 10 Or call us at: 926-1650-2 or toll free 1-888-991-4470, ask for our Information Desk