E.J.
Yes, I do 20-30 minutes of the summer bridge books. Sometimes Brain Quest books. Sometimes daily, sometimes 3x a week.
My boys just do it on their own. My daughter, I have to help more. Her times are shorter BC she is a dIfferent type of learner then my sons.
No one complains :-).
I adjust for rainy days/nice days, more active days, etc. , I keep it flexible.
I love seeing what they are learning, and I think it keeps them engaged.
I also think it helps them develop study habits.
I also use the summer for more social topics like how to deal with a bully, birds and bees, how to be assertive, alcohol/drug education just so that my kids are aware and know this is something we can openly discuss.
Mine also have 20-30 minutes of reading to do. With the boys they do it to relax at bedtime. When I am tired this allows them to stay up later and is a win/win situation. My daughter doesn't like to read so I do a few minutes with her in the am, and then she does it her own way in the pm.
I just try to keep it fun.
If they are struggling or getting crabby we end it right then, always with positive reinforcement.
Keep doing the good work :-)