Episode 34

Maybe you remember summer days like I do, filled with lemonade stands, picnics, building forts, and catching fireflies in a jar.

And now when summer rolls around, you’re ready for some R&R, free and easy days, and a sprinkling of adventure.

But as a homeschooling family, sometimes these transitions aren’t easy. Too much unstructured time can even result in mischievous or unhappy kiddos, for one thing.

The best solution is to create a simple summer rhythm to keep things from getting too wild & crazy.

Create a Simple Summer Rhythm

Why create a summer rhythm? A super simple summer rhythm can cultivate family togetherness and traditions. It can allow us to savor the downtime, while also being held by the nourishing structure of an easy flow of activities.

Sweet summer memories can be created for your children more readily with a simple rhythm. And your own need for rest, refreshment, and rejuvenation can be met.

When our children are at ease, they’re often more open to sharing their thoughts and inner world with us.

So the summer rhythm can be a basic pattern of repeated activities that supports us as parents and allows our children to know what to expect, to feel relaxed and secure.

Generally, it’s created with broader brushstrokes than during the homeschooling year. And don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with a sample to get you started and some concrete tips here!

To begin with, I like to think of summer rhythm in terms of time buckets. Simple blocks of the day, like buckets to be filled. During the homeschooling year, our buckets might include a morning circle or gathering, main lessons, read aloud time, and skills practice.

Summer is a time to simplify with just two or three time buckets –morning, afternoon, and/or evening.

A Sample Summer Rhythm

Here’s a sample summer rhythm a homeschooling friend & I created for her family with four children:

Mondays: Morning – Free Play; Afternoon – Library Visit
Tuesdays: Morning – Bike to Park; Afternoon – Read-Aloud Time
Wednesdays: Morning – Handwork; Afternoon – Go to the Pool
Thursdays: Morning – Outing; Afternoon – Read-Aloud Time
Fridays: Morning – Game Day (indoors or out); Afternoon – Free Play or Playdate

Tips for Crafting a Simple Summer Rhythm

As you begin to craft your own simple summer rhythm, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Sprinkle the big fun throughout your summer calendar, with plenty of breathing room.
Alternate calm & more active activities throughout the day and from day to day.
Keep a regular wake-up time & bedtime.
Make sure everyone is getting enough sleep.
Try time buckets — morning, afternoon, and/or evening.

Check out this free printable with ideas & inspiration from this episode of The Art of Homeschooling Podcast!

More to explore

Podcast Episode #3: Relax into Your Homeschooling Rhythm Listen to this episode for a deeper dive into the idea of rhythm in your homeschool.

Happy Solstice! A few fun ideas can be found here to inspire a celebration of the Summer Solstice in June.

Happy Summertime to you & your family!

Rate & Review the Podcast

If the Art of Homeschooling Podcast has inspired you, I’d LOVE it if you could rate and review the Art of Homeschooling Podcast on your favorite podcast player! Reviews can be left on Apple Podcasts (iTunes), Podcast Addict, or Stitcher.

Or simply pop on over to lovethepodcast.com/artofhomeschooling and choose where you want to leave your review.

And if you want to show your appreciation for the Art of Homeschooling Podcast, you can buy me a coffee!