The academic year ended with a fizzle. If you’re looking for practical ways to keep your littles intellectually engaged over the summer, try having them write stories collaboratively.
They can have multiple stories on-the-go at a time, and they can be done through notes-in-the-mailbox or by email. If they can’t write on their own, you can help with transcribing their ideas. Whatever makes sense!
First, have your child choose a few people (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, family friends, neighbours) with whom they’d like to make up a story.
Then, see how many co-authors you can get on board. Here’s a start on the ask: “We’re trying to keep [Kiddo] engaged with some creative fun over the summer. Would you be willing to collaborate with [her/him/them] to write a story, one sentence at a time? We’ll have [Kiddo] make up the first sentence, then we’ll [email it to you/drop it in your mailbox] for you to write the next sentence. And so it will go, back and forth, until you both decide it’s done! Especially with all the physical distancing this year, it’ll be a great way for [him/her/them] to have another way to feel close to you. Let me know if you’re up for it!”
Once the story is done, consider printing it out, with one sentence at the bottom of each page, and having your child illustrate it – then share a copy with their co-author. What a special memento!