The end of the school year is fast approaching and parents are starting to think about how to make this summer the best one ever for them and their kids. How do you accomplish such a daunting task? Here are some suggestions:

• Structure, structure, structure! During the school year, children are used to getting lots of structure and boundaries in the classroom. They know what the rules are and they know what comes next in their schedule. Just because they are not in school does not mean that structure should end. You will have the "best summer ever" if your kids still have a routine and know what the rules are at home (as well as what the consequences are for not following them!).
• Reward what you like; ignore what you don't. The best way to get your children to do what you want and need them to do to have a great summer is to reward the behaviors you like them to do and ignore the ones you don't. A great way to do this is to create a conduct chart that lists chores and behaviors you need to see from them on a daily basis. Then you place a sticker or mark next to the chore/behavior when they do it each day. At the end of the day or week, you give them a Dollar Store-type reward.
• Teamwork Makes the Dream Work! This is our motto here in Hallsville ISD, but it should be yours at home, as well. Allow your children to have a say in what the rules are at home, the consequences for breaking them, the rewards for following them and the routine for each day. Teamwork truly does make the dream of "the best summer ever" work!
• Read Like Your Child's Life Depends on it! Because it does! Children who do not read over the summer can fall back levels in their reading scores when they return to school, which makes it harder for them to do well in school--and in life! Reading is key to your child's success, so read with them daily during the summer because their life does depend on it! Public libraries usually have great summer reading programs your child can participate in with some awesome rewards to motivate them.
• Have fun! It is summer vacation, after all, so make sure your children have fun scheduled into their routines each day! They need to play, rest and have quality time with the family. That's how great summer memories are made!

If you follow these suggestions, you truly have an excellent chance at having the "best summer ever" with your kids. Have a great time and we'll see you next year!