By Helen Bertelli

It’s that time of year again - back to school!  But the transition from running free all summer long to sitting still at a desk all day long is not easy. 

Increased educational demands, shortened recesses, and more time in front of digital devices has led to poor core strength, balance and attention issues in kids across all walks of life, as detailed in this Washington Post article.

How can aunts help nieces and nephews with the difficult transition from summer vacation back into the classroom?

Keep the Wiggles Alive

Instead of trying to put a stop to the summer wiggles, channel them. Kids need to move; giving them the opportunity to do so when they first get home from school will help them focus on their homework later in the afternoon. Or promise a movement “reward” after homework is done: a great motivator!

Aunts (usually not the primary disciplinarians) are in the perfect position to do this.  Here are some ideas to help:

1.  Take the kiddos for an after school “ramble." Turn what is in actuality a walk around the block, into a 20 minute adventure by stopping to look at bugs, taking some chalk to draw on the sidewalk, etc. 

2.  Fall is the perfect time to talk about the changing of seasons. Take your nieces and nephews outside to collect a few leaves, come back inside and make a poster with them, or have the kids trace around three leaves with a pencil.

3.  Hold a “race.” Have the kiddos run around the house once, or down to the end of the block and back.  “Time” them, clap and congratulate them if they make it back within a certain time.

4.  Play a game of ‘musical statues.” Turn on music and have the kids dance. Turn off the music at different intervals; when the music goes off, the kids must stand still as statues until it comes on again. You can make this into a competition if you like.

5.  Set up a treasure hunt. I love treasure hunts because they can teach anything from math (Clued-in Kids) to soccer facts (Clued-in Kids) while keeping kids moving, so they don’t know they are learning. Create your own or enter Clued In Kids's contest to give away a free pirate treasure hunt clue pad in time for International Talk Like A Pirate Day: Clued-in Kids.

The more you can encourage movement and laughter, the more you will help your nieces and nephews improve their strength, balance, and attention, and sharpen their ability to learn.

Helen Bertelli is the Founder and President of Clued In Kids. 

Photo: Helen Bertelli
Published: 8/27/2014