SUMMER
Buy a small clay pot and plant some seeds in it for an indoor plant. Dill or parsley are good choices. Paint the pot with bright colors and give your child the responsibility for watering the plant.
Look for, or buy, a feather. Give your child some paint and some paper. Let her try to write with the feather pen.
Make butterfly wings out of cardboard. Let your child decorate them, then attach to your child’s back with ribbon or string.
Give your child coins to sort.
Get a wide mouth jar and ten pennies. Have your child stand next to the jar and drop the pennies into the jar.
Get out your kitchen scale and let your child weigh some kitchen items. Talk about lighter and heavier.
Give your child her own ruler and several small objects. Measure the objects and talk about larger and smaller.
Play orchestra conductor. One person conducts and the other sings. The singer must go as quickly or slowly as the conductor indicates.
Cut some bird figures from construction paper. Let your child decorate and hand from the ceiling by string or yarn.
Make a map of your neighborhood, noting friend’s houses, parks, schools, trees and more. Take a walk and have your child navigate using the map.
Talk about the American flag and its symbols. Then tape red, white and blue streamers to a stick and let your child wave their colors.
Make a paper chain out of red, white and blue papers. Use it to decorate and outside tree or bush.
Color some play sand with tempera paint. Let dry, then sprinkle onto paper with glue.
Go outside and play follow the leader.
Catch some fireflies in a jar.
Savor the short season of summer with your special child. Take the time to make some memories. They don’t have to be memories of elaborate trips and experiences. Your child is more likely to remember the simple things you did together, like taking time to lie on a blanket in the yard gazing at the summer stars