The other day I heard an educator speaking about what parents can do this summer in light of the COVID-19 home “schooling”. She suggested that parents along with their children determine one goal that the child would achieve over the summer. It needs to be age appropriate, doable and achievable. The thought that having a goal (or perhaps more- but do them one at a time) is good for building structure into children’s lives.

I was thinking that having one goal this summer might be good for adults as well. And if we have any young people in our lives perhaps have the goal together: read a book together and discuss via facetime, zoom or the old fashion way- letter writing; take an online class together; design a memory book- share stories and pictures from your childhood. The possibilities are endless. The goals might be practical or might be things you always wanted to learn to do. In learning a new skill, focus on one aspect of it. For example, if learning how to sew, plan on making decorative bedroom pillows as a way to learn stitching.

Some suggestions of goals for children and adults:

• Learn a language or at least some basic phrases (high achieving- at least it is for me!).

• Read one book a week or any other determined number.

• Learn to cook a favorite meal, bake cookies, or properly chop and use of kitchen tools.

• Learn to ride a bike or a new swim stroke.

• Learn how to write a letter. (how to address the envelope, salutation, etc.)

• Learn how to balance a check book, make a budget.

• Learn how to sew or any other handiwork: knit, crochet, needlepoint.

• Learn a new-to-you board game. Try “Go”, allegedly the oldest board game, mahjong, chess, cribbage, backgammon.

• Plant a garden: raise some type of vegetable, fruit or flowers.

• Take an artist challenge. Click here for a fun- 21 day artist challenge.

• Explore the world through video- whole host of vignettes for adults and children on Viking cruise website. Click here.

• Take an electronic sabbatical ala Bill Gates for a week- “unplug” from emails, screen time, etc.

• For the overachievers, our son introduced us to these amazing youtube videos of a gentleman who does everything by hand. His channel is a “cooking” channel, but the food aspect is nothing compared to his preparation for the meal. For instance, there is a cooked fish video which is all about his making a waterproof hat (splitting the bamboo and weaving it) in order to sit in the rain to catch the fish. Click here to watch him build a stone grill.

What about you? What things would you like to explore this summer? What can you do together with your family or friends?

One goal. One summer