THE TWO SUMMER SKILLS PARENTS FORGET TO PRACTICE

I've spent more than 15 years serving students and families as an educator and school administrator, first in schools and now at the central office. One thing I know to be true is this...

Summer is about much more than preventing academic loss. It is one of the best opportunities we have to help children build the life skills that make learning easier once they return to school.

You don't need another workbook to make this a meaningful summer. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons children learn over break have nothing to do with reading logs or math practice.

Summer gives children something they rarely have during the school year. Time. Time to try new things, solve problems, make mistakes, and grow more confident.

Two of the most important skills parents can help develop this summer are independence and perseverance.

One of the best gifts we can give children is the confidence that comes from realizing, "I can do hard things." Summer creates countless opportunities to build that confidence in everyday life.

Instead of automatically stepping in, look for small ways your child can take ownership. Let them order their own meal at a restaurant. Encourage them to ask the librarian where to find a book or ask a store employee for help. Have them pack their backpack or swim bag before an outing, help write the grocery list, or choose what the family will cook for dinner one night.

When a small problem comes up, pause before offering the solution. Give your child a chance to think through it first. They may surprise you.

These moments might seem ordinary, but they build decision making, communication, responsibility, and self confidence. More importantly, they teach children to trust themselves. That confidence follows them into the classroom when they are asked to solve problems, work independently, and advocate for themselves.

As parents, it is natural to want to step in when our children become frustrated. We all want to make things easier for them. But some of the greatest growth happens when children discover they can work through something difficult on their own.

Whether they are building a LEGO set, learning to ride a bike, practicing a new sport, or putting together a challenging puzzle, resist the urge to immediately solve the problem. Instead, encourage them to keep trying.

You might ask:

Those simple conversations teach children that mistakes are part of learning, not something to fear.

Over time, they begin to understand that success does not come from getting everything right the first time. It comes from sticking with something, adjusting when needed, and believing they are capable of improving.

When school starts, the students who thrive are not always the ones who completed the most worksheets over the summer. More often, they are the students who walk into the classroom believing they can solve problems, recover from mistakes, ask for help when they need it, and keep going when learning becomes challenging.

Reading, writing, and math matter. So do confidence, resilience, responsibility, and perseverance.

This summer, do not worry about filling every quiet moment with academics. Make room for your child to take on new responsibilities, struggle a little, solve everyday problems, and discover what they are capable of.

Those are the lessons they will carry with them long after summer ends.