11 Jun How to transition from school to summer mode
The transition from the school year to the summer time can be an exciting time for families and children. Some kids prepare to head to summer camp nearby and others to sleep-away camp farther away. Other children and families look forward with excitement to less scheduled time at home – time for relaxation, trips to the pool and beach, family vacations, and other adventures that allow families time to reflect on growth and to reconnect in new ways. For some children and families, the transition to summer time is a tumultuous time riddled with anxiety, irritability, moodiness, and an increase in tantrums and outbursts. In these situations, the struggles may be a reaction to the absence of structure and organization that the school year provides.
Here are a few things to consider as summer approaches:
- Routines – You want to be flexible and fun, but it also important to have an order to your day. Children like to know what will come next. When appropriate, allow children to help plan the activities of the day.
- Summer Activities – Art projects, cooking activities, outdoor water activities are excellent for keeping children engaged. Check out unfamiliar local parks and playgrounds and consider making a summer “bucket list” including ideas from each family member.
- Summer Learning: Incorporate math into everyday life and create an incentivized reading program (“When you read 100 pages, we will go out for ice cream.”) Keeping children’s minds sharp will only set them up for a successful transition back to school in the fall. Keeping it light and fun, however, is critical!
- Treasure Chest: Have activities on hand at home that you can pull out at times when chaos feels imminent. Activities can provide structure and be grounding for children. A variety of activities – some preferred and well-known options in which children can engage independently, coupled with a few options that are more novel – provide good balance. Some favorites might include puzzles, mazes, or paint-by-number.
- Limits: Television, movies, and video games can be fun, entertaining, and even educational; however, in excess, they are disruptive to healthy sleep habits and overall physical and mental health. Setting clear expectations and limits to screen time from the start can make for an easier transition into summer.
If your child is heading off to camp, consider reviewing the following helpful tips presented by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: https://www.aacap.org/App_Themes/AACAP/docs/Children%20and%20Summer%20Camp%20Tips%20for%20Parents.2014.pdf
It’s a bit like cooking. The right balance of unstructured time and scheduled activities mixed with fun and leisure will leave children and families refreshed and at the top of their game come the return to school.