7 Summer Enrichment Ideas for Your Preschooler … in Wilmington!

Now is the time for parents to be thinking about summer enrichment for their little ones. Remember how happy you were when school was out for the summer? Your feelings for summer vacation probably have changed now that you are the parent and you have an active preschooler. Refuse to allow your kids to sit like zombies in front of the television and video games all season.

With a little planning, you can devise fun activities for your preschool students that will also challenge their growing brains and coordination. When you participate, your child gets quality time to learn about their family, themselves, and the world around them. Here are some ideas to have valuable enrichment for your preschooler in Wilmington:

1. Summer Camp

Most preschoolers are too young to stay away from home at a traditional summer camp. You might consider day camps that only last for a few hours. These camps are often run by qualified and licensed preschool staff. Your child can enjoy all sorts of exercise and summer enrichment during the week. Some day camps screen and invite volunteer parents as class aids.

2. Library Day for Preschool Enrichment

To encourage your preschoolers who are just learning to read simple words, include a trip to your public library once a week. Libraries have whole sections of picture books and beginning readers that your children will love. Most libraries even have a summer reading program, where kids get points and prizes for the number of books they have checked out and read.

Be an active part in your child’s summer enrichment and read to them at home. Help them sound out letters and simple words to you. They will have a stronger foundation for phonics and sight reading when they enter kindergarten in the fall.

3. Fill Their Days With Art Projects

Children have an innate desire to create. Give these young Picassos summer enrichment that is filled with different art projects. You do not have to go out and spend a fortune on art supplies. You may already have most of the basics at home.

If you have a dollar store, stock up on plenty of crayons, glue, finger paints, and colored paper on a budget. Go to websites like Pinterest to find unique ideas for your preschoolers to make cool projects.

While they are dabbling in art, you can teach them about the things they are drawing or the different mediums they can use. Create a little nook in your house where you can set up a mini-museum to display their artwork. Be sure to take pictures!

4. Learning A New Sport

Don’t let your kids vegetate like couch potatoes during their whole vacation. Physical activity is a perfect way to blend fun with summer enrichment.

Be their example and get involved in outside activities with them. Learn a new sport that will be easy for them, such as kickball, jump rope, or playing T-ball. Many gyms such as the YMCA offer discounts for family memberships. Your kids might enjoy participating in children’s gymnastics or youth yoga. Plan a Family Olympics Day when the whole family gets to show their skills. Let everyone be a winner with participation ribbons you made.

5. Train A Family Chef

Preschool children should not be around hot stoves, electric equipment, or sharp knives. However, they can easily learn how to break an egg or help stir batter. While they are helping you measure ingredients, you can teach them simple lessons about fractions. Let them have some input in a family menu plan. This summer enrichment project can also teach your children about healthy eating habits and safety in the kitchen. Just be sure to reiterate that they need to have you present in the kitchen before they try to cook anything.

6. How To Give Back To Others

The younger your children are introduced to giving back, the better. Such summer enrichment projects teach them basic lessons in empathy and moral responsibilities. While you are de-cluttering this summer, let your children help gather things they no longer play with to donate to a local homeless shelter or charity thrift store. Explain to them (on their level) that it is important to give to those who are in need. If you volunteer for any charities, let your preschooler go with you one day to see what giving back is all about.

7. Armchair Travelers

This cool summer enrichment project blends reading, cooking, and art. Find easy-reader and picture books about different countries. Talk to your preschoolers about children of different colors, cultures, and beliefs. Pick out some simple dishes from your chosen country to try for dinner. Help your children draw pictures and make traditional artwork from the country you are studying. You can learn about a new country every week.

You will not hear the word “bored” when you develop great projects for your preschoolers. They will learn valuable information, skills, and the importance of doing things as a family. It sounds like it is going to be an exciting season of summer enrichment!