Setting Up for Success this Summer Break
For many children and teenagers in our area, school has ended and summer break is officially here. With falling COVID case numbers and vaccine availability, many traditional summer activities like vacations and camps will be more accessible this year compared to 2020. Read on for tips about ways to successfully take advantage of increased free time and flexibility this summer.
Celebrate success
Before diving headfirst into summer, it would be meaningful to pause and celebrate your child’s achievements this school year. It was an abnormal and disrupted year for all, and yet students made it through remote/hybrid learning, classroom mask-wearing, and limited or modified extracurricular activities to get to this point. That deserves some recognition and celebration! Rather than focusing on your student’s grades specifically, take this time to praise their efforts, resilience, and flexibility through the disruptions of the past year. You could celebrate with a special family meal or activity, a heartfelt card to your child, or a small gift to reinforce their hard work.
Explore outdoor activities and offerings
Since most younger children still won’t be vaccinated this summer, outdoor activities remain the safest options available to most families. Explore outdoor opportunities in your area such as neighborhood pools, greenway access, public parks, and the whitewater center. Social activities with peers can also be held outdoors, such as cookouts, driveway arts and crafting sessions, and ice cream meet-ups (my personal favorite is Jeni’s). Here’s a great list of fun activities to consider both outdoors and indoors for those inevitable stormy afternoons. Don’t forget the bug spray and sunscreen!
Encourage continued academic stimulation
It’s been repeatedly demonstrated that some students show regression in their academic skills after extended breaks from school. To mitigate the “summer slide,” find ways to engage your child or teenager in continued learning activities. For example, you could take a trip to the bookstore or library to select new books for summer reading, engage in science-based activities (e.g., create a “nature museum” with items found outdoors, track the weather, test which items will float or sink in a pool/bathtub), or download an app that supports practice of math, reading, or spelling skills (explore some options here and here). To reinforce the expectation of continued learning this summer, you may consider requiring your child to engage in an intellectually stimulating activity (e.g., 20 minutes of reading) several days each week before offering access to iPads, phones, or television time.
Promote peer interactions
During the school year, children and teenagers see their peers on a natural daily basis; during the summer, however, these meetings require more planning and intentionality. Make sure you or your child have the contact information of their friends/friends’ parents so you can coordinate gatherings over the summer. As mentioned above, one of the safest ways to promote social connections for your child this summer may be to plan outdoor activities and gatherings. You may consider planning a nature hike, having a picnic, or meeting at a local pool or park.
Encourage exploration of personal hobbies and interests
With more scheduling flexibility over the summer, it is likely that your child or teenager will have increased free time. That’s okay - you don’t have to create a full schedule everyday! Summer is a great opportunity to encourage your child to explore individual interests and hobbies that they can engage in to entertain themselves. Self-regulation and self-soothing are important skills to develop, and encouraging your child to deepen their personal interests can help serve this purpose in the long-term.
Summer is a great time for children and their parents alike to rest, recharge their batteries, and explore fun and productive ways to spend free time. However you and your family spend the summer, I hope it’s fun, relaxing, and cool!
Looking for further consultation regarding your child or teen? Get started with Dr. Raines.