Tips on a Successful Summer Break for your Kids

With summer break rapidly approaching many parents may be struggling to help their children with the transition out of their highly structured school routines during the next 3 months. School age children often do best emotionally, mentally and physically when they have at least a rudimentary structure and expectations for their day; this is even more apparent in children with Autism or ADHD. The lack of structure that summer brings can cause unnecessary stress in many children, which can ultimately lead to behavior issues. Below are some tips on creating a more intentional summer break experience for your kids, while still allowing them the
freedom to relax and enjoy the summer fun!

According to the CDC,“There are three keys to creating structure: consistency, predictability and follow-through”. A few ways to implement these principles when creating structure is by making a visible daily calendar or chart where children can see what the plan for the day is; including meals, chores or fun activities. This is an especially effective tool for children that have a difficult time with traveling transitions, as it adds a level of predictability.

Even a loose schedule can prove to be a useful tool in managing your children’s expectations for the day. Pairing this with a reward system to reinforce good behavior, and remaining consistent with the schedule, is effective when creating a routine to reduce stress in your child. Another useful resource for families who need more support are summer camps or classes at local YMCA’s and recreation centers. There are a variety of summer camp programs to choose from in Central Florida, especially in the Orlando area with many schools and therapy practices offering ones that address physical, mental and emotional enrichment needs. Having your children enrolled in a summer camp is a great way to help create summertime fun with a consistent structure that has the added benefit of fostering community among parents.

Making sure to prioritize self-care during this season is very important, and having a network of parents to rely on can make a significant difference in regards to stress. Finding families with children who have similar support needs can be a potential source of mutual aid. For example, if your child experiences anxiety and depression and they are enrolled in a camp for children to learn coping tools, this may serve as an opportunity to network with parents who are having similar experiences. It takes a village to raise a child, and sometimes there may be more people there to help than you think.

(This article was contributed by Rollins Clinical Psychology student, Shannon Caicedo)

Looking for a Back-to-School Activity for your kids? Sign them up for our Free Kids Workshop! Starting July 11th,2024

References:
1. https://childmind.org/article/strategies-for-a-successful-summer-break/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK552668/
3. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/active_summer.htm
4. https://preventchildabuse.org/resources/summer-break-routine/