How to Protect your Child’s Mental Health this Summer

With summer break well underway, you may be wondering how you are going to keep your children occupied over the next two months.  While most children are typically excited for school to be over for the year, some may struggle without the routine and structure that school provides.  However, there are many strategies that you can employ to support the mental health of both you and your children.

1) Keep a consistent schedule.

Children may want to sleep in, but ensuring that they still go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day is important for their well-being.  Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they have to wake up as early as they would for school.  You might bump their bedtime and wake up time a little later for the summer months, but, rather than allowing them to sleep until noon, you can simply adjust their schedule by a few hours.  Of course, allowing that noon wake-up time every once in a while isn’t a problem, especially if you’re out late one night at an event or returning from vacation.

2) Stick to a routine.

Speaking of vacation, the adjustment to a new place and schedule can be particularly stressful for some children.  To help them with this transition, it is helpful to bring items from home that may be comforting to them, stick to some sort of routine while on vacation, and give them some agency in the types of activities that you have planned. 

3) Plan some activities with your children’s input.

Even if you are not sending your children to summer camp, it is helpful to have activities planned and let them know of them in advance.  You can visit family members, plan play dates with their friends, or seek out free or cheap events in your local community (libraries typically have many free activities for children!).  If camp is an option, you may want to allow them some flexibility with the type or theme of the camp.  For instance, if your children really enjoy painting, try choosing a camp at a local art gallery.  Although screen time is useful in moderation, your children should still be getting physical activity and socializing with their peers. You may feel tempted to give in to requests for extra screen time, but staying consistent with your boundaries is important.  

4) Integrate learning opportunities.

You may also want to employ methods to keep your children’s brains engaged during the summer.  That can include picking up workbooks for them to do with you, researching educational board games, seeking out tutoring, or sending them to a STEM summer camp for a week.  You can also encourage them to do independent learning on topics they are interested in - teaching them research skills and preparing them for the next school year.  Of course, many parents will be working during the summer, but even occasional worksheets or trips to museums will be beneficial to their growing brains.

5) Brainstorm ideas together.

The beginning of summer may seem exciting for children, but it may also cause emotional or behavioural changes while they adjust to their new routines and expectations.  You can collaboratively brainstorm activities for them to do with you so that they feel more in control of the situation.  Furthermore, it is helpful to talk to them about their worries and discuss methods that may help them feel better - feel free to check out our blog post on How to Support your Child with Anxiety for more tips!

Adapted from “Strategies for a Successful Summer Break” (Arky, B) and https://www.playitagainkids.ca/summer-survival-tip-kids