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Summertime brings warmer weather and lots of downtime with kids out of school. This season opens ups time for parents and caregivers to connect with their children in meaningful ways and sprinkle in fun and engaging activities that infuse social-emotional learning and well-being. Don’t let this feel overwhelming! It doesn’t have to be an add ON to your busy life, it can be added IN to what you are already doing. Whether you’re looking for new ideas or simply seeking inspiration, my mission is to make it simple and provide practical ideas to embrace daily activities that will boost your child’s communication, regulation, and confidence with more ease and joy. So put away those screens and get ready to make some unforgettable memories (and growth) this summer!
Exploring Sensory Needs: Understanding the Impact on Emotions
As children grow and develop, they rely on their senses to help them make sense of the world around them. When a child’s sensory needs are not met, it can impact their emotions and ability to comfortably navigate their social world. During the summer months when school is out, there can be a lot of downtime which can lead to boredom and sometimes even challenging behavior, and misbehavior. This can be difficult to detect because children don’t often have the ability to express that they are not getting their sensory needs met. They might be triggered by things that we wouldn’t even think about such as the bright sun in their eyes, the smell or texture of the sunscreen, or the sound of the air conditioner or fan. This can manifest as fidgeting, acting out, or being generally restless. Taking the time to understand your child’s sensory needs and help them to determine their “just right” level of sensory input can provide them with opportunities to get the input they need in a positive way and help set the foundation for a smoother summer together.
- Information is key! Take the time to observe your child and collect data. Whether you are getting curious and asking them what makes them feel comfortable or uncomfortable or just watching and seeing what they are seeking and avoiding, taking this time can provide so much information that will benefit your child (and you) moving forward.
- Set up a sensory-friendly environment. Whether it’s the lighting, sounds, smells, or textures that your child would like more or less of, take the time to make the modifications that help your child feel more sensory-regulated. If they are able, they can engage and help you with the process.
- Set up a regulation station. This can be a place where they go when they are upset or dysregulated or just spend time throughout the day to recharge, read or relax away from input that might be overwhelming to them. You can provide tools in this space such as soothing music or fidgets if your child benefits.
- Make time for sensory breaks throughout the day. Don’t wait for your child to become sensory overwhelmed and have a meltdown. Schedule regular times for them to take a break in their safe/calming space, do artwork, dance, or get outside for a nature walk, swinging, running, climbing, or jumping for them to get the physical input they need to stay calm and focused.
- You can also use everyday activities as opportunities to help your child explore their senses. For example, when you’re folding laundry together, let them feel the different fabrics and talk about how they feel. When you’re cooking dinner, let them smell the spices and talk about what they smell like. This is what I mean by embracing everyday routines and creating a lifestyle for social-emotional learning.
Boosting Social-Emotional Well-being through Play
It’s no secret that children of all ages love to play. But did you know that playtime is also an important part of a child’s social and emotional development? Through play, children learn how to regulate their emotions, practice being cognitively flexible, interact with others, share, and express their emotions. Playtime is also a great opportunity for parents to bond with their children and build positive relationships. Here are some tips for making the most of playtime:
- Make sure there is plenty of time for unstructured and structured play. Unstructured play is when children can really let their imaginations run wild and get creative. It can also release the stress and overwhelm that structured time might bring. Structured play with board games, sports, or family/peer activities such as charades can help with flexibility, negotiation, and communication.
- Follow your child’s lead and interests. Getting down on the floor and stepping into your child’s world can be difficult for some adults but when you let yourself get back to your childhood roots and engage with your child in ways that light them up, it can be magical and have long-lasting positive outcomes!
- Set your child up for success by letting them know when the playtime will happen, what the schedule is, and what it might look like. You can do this through a visual schedule, role-play or just talking it through ahead of time. This is called priming and helps with understanding what is going to happen and its expectations which provide comfort and security to feel more relaxed and able to partake in the fun.
- Create an environment that is safe and welcoming for all. This includes having open communication with your child about their feelings and experiences. Check-in with your child about how they are feeling before, during, and after.
- Be a role model! Show your child how much fun it can be to connect with others through play. Play cards, dance in the kitchen, and play “I Spy” while driving.
Connection Time with Your Child: Ideas and Opportunities
- Make one-on-one or “special” time for your child. This could be reading together before bed, going out for ice cream, or working on a project together. One-on-one time gives your child undivided attention and lets them know that they are important to you. Let them pick the activity and give them your full attention. Even five to ten minutes a few times a week can provide huge benefits of connection and regulation.
- Go on a mindful nature hike or after-dinner walk and talk about what you see and hear along the way. Notice the sights, sounds, smells, or even just the feeling of your feet on the ground. This is a great opportunity to point out different sensations and emotions that people might feel in different situations and practice mindfulness which has been proven to reduce anxiety.
- Talk about feelings. It’s normal for kids to feel a range of emotions during the summer months – from excitement about no school to sadness about being away from friends. Validate your child’s feelings and talk about ways to cope with them. This can help your child feel heard and understood.
- Have a picnic lunch or dinner in the park or backyard and invite other families to join you. Incorporate conversational interactions and prompts such as sharing your highs and lows of the day. This is a great way to encourage social interaction and sharing.
- Move together! There are all sorts of outdoor activities that can get kids moving and help boost their social-emotional well-being. Here are a few ideas: Go for a family bike ride, play catch, or hopscotch. Head to the playground to swing, slide or climb. Organize a neighborhood game of kickball, basketball, or soccer. Take a trip to the beach or pool. Splashing around in the water is always a blast and can help kids cool off on hot summer days.
With the intention and mindset to create a lifestyle to boost your child’s social-emotional skills, there are endless opportunities to sprinkle in social-emotional learning into your daily life with your children to build their self-esteem, and life skills and make memories that will last a lifetime! From outdoor activities to creative projects, there are plenty of ways to engage and bond with your child in a fun and meaningful way. By engaging in activities that promote connection, playfulness, creativity, and exploration, your child can experience the joy of spending time with you while also boosting their social-emotional well-being. The rewards will be worth it when you see the positive changes in yourself, your child, and even your relationship. So make sure to take some time this summer to connect with your child—you won’t regret it!
I have created a guide for busy parents to help your child with listening, communication, and relationship skills to build meaningful connections. Checkout my book “Make Social & Emotional Learning Stick“
“Don’t let this feel overwhelming! It doesn’t have to be an add ON to your busy life, it can be added IN to what you are already doing.”
— Elizabeth