Getting Ready for Summer

Author

Jason Kopp
April 17, 2024

It is mid-April and the sun is shining! The days are longer and summer is quickly approaching. For kids, it is an exciting time as they near the end of their school year. 

For parents, there can be a lot of things needing to be done before summer begins. We have created a checklist to help!

  • Arrange for childcare

    • For working parents, coordinating childcare when school is out of session can be a headache, but advance planning is helpful. Local schools may have summer programs, or parents can research sitters or other options for their child. 

  • Register for summer activities

    • Now is the time to be researching and registering for summer activities, like sports lessons, outdoor camps, art camps and more. Search for summer camps in your area and see what options might be best for your child. 

  • Schedule physicals for sports

    • Many sports require a physical with a healthcare provider before a child can participate. Look into the requirements for your child’s favorite sport and get the appointment scheduled. 

  • Update immunizations if needed

    • Depending on the child’s age, he or she might need their next round of immunizations. Call your child’s pediatrician to confirm the shot schedule and coordinate an appointment if needed. 

  • Switch out clothing/seasonal clothing

    • Time to make some room in the family’s closets! Pack away those sweaters and long-sleeved shirts and pull out the shorts/tanks and summer clothes. If you would like, involve your child in donating the clothes they have outgrown so those clothes can be passed on to others. 

  • Stock up on sunscreen

    • Keep your child safe this summer. Sunburns are easily preventable and parents are encouraged to always keep sunscreen on hand. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends all children wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. 

  • Purchase bug spray

    • Bugs are a summer annoyance. It can be difficult to not scratch bug bites when kiddos receive them, so it’s best to just prevent them! Dr. Cliff James recommends not using a bug spray with DEET until after the child is two. The best option for children under two is a non-toxic bug spray that uses scent technology to keep the bugs away. 

  • Gather summer essentials

    • Confirm your child has appropriate summer shoes and swimsuits that fit, so you aren’t having to make any last-minute trips to the store for those essentials. 

  • Plan activities for days at home

    • Be prepared with a few activities that can be done at home on rainy days or days where it might be too hot for outdoor activities. Check out the May newsletter for a full list of ideas!

Things a Child Needs to Know Before Kindergarten

As parents, we want to prepare our children as best as possible for when their time in school begins. Dr. Cliff James recently shared a list of things pediatricians want children to know when they enter kindergarten.

By the age of five/six, children should be able to do the following:

  1. Write and spell their first and last names.

  2. Know their alphabet and be able to write it in upper and lowercase letters.

  3. Know the sounds of the different letters. 

  4. Count at least to 20 and write the first 15 numbers. 

  5. Know their address, phone number and how to cross the street by looking both ways. 

  6. Understand stranger safety - for instance, not talking to strangers or accepting things like candy from strangers. 

  7. Brush their teeth and visit the dentist regularly.

  8. Wear a helmet when riding their bicycle.

  9. Be able to swim, or at least understand water safety, before they visit other people’s homes.

For more expert tips from Dr. James, check out his HelpMommy TikTok channel!

Spring Recipe to Make with Your Kids: Flower Pretzel Treats

This flower-themed tasty treat is the perfect combination of salty and sweet, and kids will enjoy sorting the colors and creating the flowers with parent supervision. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag of regular twist pretzels

  • 1 bag of Ghiradelli white chocolate melting wafers

  • 2 bags of spring time M&Ms

  • Bowls to separate the colors of the M&Ms

  • 1 cookie sheet fitted with parchment paper

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

  • Separate the M&M colors into individual bowls.

  • Lay out 30 pretzels onto the cookie sheet.

  • Place a white chocolate melting wafer onto the pretzels.

  • Place your cookie sheet into the oven for two to three minutes. Check every minute to see if the chocolate looks like it is starting to melt. Once the chocolate is slightly melted, pull the cookie tray out.

  • Using five M&Ms from one color, form a flower on the chocolate.

  • Place another color of M&Ms into the center of the flower for the bulb.

  • Let chocolate cool completely before enjoying. 

Do you have a favorite kid-friendly recipe? Share it with us at [email protected] to possibly be featured in a future newsletter.