Special thanks to everyone who was able to join us for the first official BRIDGES meeting. We look forward to more meetings in the fall, and will post information on this website as it becomes available. If you were unable to make it to the meeting, thanks for checking out our blog! Our focus question for today was, "What suggestions do you have to make sure your child has a successful summer?" Groups of parents discussed this question with each other while staff members participated and took notes. These are some of the suggestions that parents came up with. We also tried to find links to as many of the different suggestions as possible. If you have any other ideas, please feel free to email them to your child's teacher. Thanks again to everyone for their participation and have a wonderful summer!
- Play a card game with your child - You can change the venue and play a game or read and then reward your child if you choose
- Visit Cosley Zoo in Wheaton. It's free for kids, $3 for adults, and only a short drive away! It features many animals native to Illinois
- Take a trip to Graue Mill in Oak Brook, a former grist mill and "station" on the Underground Railroad!
- Check out Chicago Parent, a magazine where you might be able to find some free or discounted opportunities
- Phillips Park in nearby Aurora has water activites and a picnic area
- Find an online game that your child can safely experience with other children around the world
- Count items and place them on a calendar, in anyway
- Find some great apps for your phone! Two parent suggestions include Goby (an app for family activities) and Apps for Moms
- Join or start a book club where children (or children and their parents) discuss a common book
- Visit any of the math or literacy links found on the BRIDGES website
- Teach your child responsibility by allowing them to earn and use money
- Visual math using straws, toothpicks, rubberbands
- Encourage your child to keep a journal or write letters. Creative writing like plays and stories can be fun!
- Have your child write about what they see on TV
- Find a list of grade level books for summer reading
- Don't force your child to read, let them discover what they enjoy reading
- Show you are supporting their academic needs
- Go to the grocery store together and see what educational opportunities arise
- The Naperville Park District has a ton of programs and camps available. They have good prices and a huge variety of opportunities! Look at the calendar of events to see special things going on. Keep an eye out for "Concerts in Your Park" and all the other happenings
- The Naperville Public Library is a great place to check out books! They also offer free story times as well as a teen teaching program
- Visit Info Sports to find a camp for a specific sport in your area
