It’s summer, which means kids are out of school and schedules and routines go out the window. Kids stay up later, sleep in longer, and look to you to fill their days with stuff to do.
As our summer schedules relax, it’s easy for kids to fall into this slump. They’re not engaging their brains as much as they were during the school year. And while breaks are healthy, it’s not always good for kids to completely disengage for months at a time. According to research, kids typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do on the same tests at the beginning of the summer.
Coinciding with the drop-off in academic activity, your kids’ faith growth can also fall into a summer slump.
Church activities can be less structured during the summer break. And summer vacations and schedules may mean families aren’t attending as regularly.
But there’s good news! The effects of the summer slump are less pronounced in kids whose families intentionally engage their kids with growth opportunities—whether it’s library visits, art classes, or simple nature walks. Keeping your kids engaged translates into their spiritual growth, too. Intentionally involving your kids in faith conversations, sharing your wonder at God’s creation while camping, or simply praying together daily will keep their spiritual minds sharp and expanding. You’re the #1 influencer in your kids’ spiritual lives; take the summer as an opportunity to keep learning—and growing—together.
