by Joan Wyler
August is a transition month. Leisurely summer days continue during the first weeks of August and transition into scheduled school days by end of month. Synonyms for transition—change, shift, and progression apply to August. Families with youth of all ages will change to a school schedule, shift from their relaxed summer activities and progress into defined academic calendars. During August parents and grandparents can pave the way for their children to make this a successful transition.
GOODBYE SUMMER ACTIVITIES Determine unique summer activities that you still want to do. You have three weeks in August to catch activities you may have missed before school classes resume. Local school systems resume classes between August 13th and 25th. These dates apply to local school districts and universities.
A Musical End to Summer On many August evenings you can find a free summer concert. Since children are on summer bedtime hours, make it a special end of summer evening at an outdoor evening concert. On most days during the month of August, you can attend a free concert being performed in one of the local parks. Downtown Cincinnati locations include Fountain Square and Washington Park. Fountain Square, Jazz on the Square Tuesdays, 5:00 – 8:00 pm and Fifth & Vine Live on Saturday nights, 7:00 – 10:00 pm. Washington Park, Friday Flow with R&B music Fridays, 6:00 – 10:00 pm.
Additional locations include Burnet Woods in Clifton hosting local bands on Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm, and Newport Levee hosting Live on the Levee Thursday evenings starting at 7:00 pm. For those who like to dance, as well as listen to music, take the family to Salsa on the Square. Salsa on the Square is the perfect activity for families to join with others who love to dance. On Thursday evenings from seven to ten Fountain Square fills with Latin rhythm. Local and regional Latin bands play salsa, merengue, cumbia and Latin jazz. A local dance instructor leads the audience teaching the basic Latin dance steps. This is a fun interactive activity to cap off summer fun.
A “Cool” Way to End Summer Kids delight in keeping cool at local splash pads. This provides children with a final time to run and splash before they return to a classroom setting. By adding a picnic lunch to your park visit, you can make this an entire afternoon activity. Free local splash pads are located at Smale Riverfront Park (downtown), Washington Park (Over the Rhine), Gorman Park (Sharonville), and Beech Acres Park (Anderson Township). Grandparents may find this an easy, fun “goodbye summer” activity to invite grandchildren and their friends to enjoy together.
World of Art For those who prefer a free inside activity, expose your children to the wonders of the world of art by visiting the Cincinnati Art Museum. This may be the beginning of a lifelong interest. A special program at the museum is the Rosenthal Education Center (REC). The center is open daily during museum hours, Tuesday – Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. During August the REC has interactive artwork by the Artist in Residence Kent Brett. On August 9th Brett will meet with participants and they will create an original work of art to take home.
Fall Market The Fall Market on Sunday August 30th at the Mayerson JCC 10am-2pm will provide a wonderful transition activity for multi generations to do together. Families will find local produce, food trucks, and handcrafted items. Take home fresh ingredients that can be packed in a school lunch bag. Apples and honey will remind families to think in terms of preparing for September’s Rosh Hashanah holiday. Visiting the market can provide a wonderful way to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
HELLO SCHOOL DAYS Having experienced unique summer activities, it is now time to transition to the beginning of the school year. The key to this transition is to prepare your children for their new routines. Looking towards the start of school, children experience anticipation which may be a combination of anxiety and excitement. To help prepare your children, together compile lists of new schedules and needed supplies. Schedules include new bedtime and wake-up hours, transportation schedule, and homework schedule. Discuss after school activity options and the logistics of transportation. Supplies may include backpacks, notebooks, pens, markers, lunch boxes, water bottles, hand sanitizer, and Kleenex. Be enthusiastic about your child’s opportunity to make new friends. Your attitude relating to school routine, making friends and participating in new activities lays the foundation for positive attitudes for the coming school year.
Joan welcomes your comments and ideas, parentingplus@americanisraelite.com
