Summer is coming soon, and since the month May is the mental-health awareness period, currently is the perfect moment to talk about kids’ mental-health plus summer vacation.
Summer gives children a much-required break from the fatigues of an academic year and provide a period to regain.
During the summer break, children may face new difficulties due to the lack of routine and the absence of social interaction with friends. Here are some strategies to support your child's mental well-being throughout the summer.
Encourage social-emotional learning
Similar to providing academic workbooks, you can also incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) activities to help your child maintain these skills during the break. There are numerous printable SEL resources available for your child to engage in activities like completing an internal weather report or practicing mindfulness. You could also suggest keeping a summer journal or working on a project that promotes self-reflection.
Establish a timetable.
In the summer, it can be tempting to allow your child to stay up late, sleep in, and have unstructured play time all day. However, kids generally feel more at ease when they maintain a familiar routine. Make it a point to set consistent meal times, chore times, and most importantly bedtime to ensure your child gets adequate sleep. Moreover, think about enrolling them in a summer program to provide more structure. While summer camp is a popular option, you can also explore other summer activities and volunteer opportunities in your locality.
Encourage them to go outdoors.
Certain children appear satisfied with staying indoors all day. Yet, studies indicate that physical activity and spending time outdoors can lower stress and enhance mood. Despite your child's preference for watching TV or playing video games, attempt to discover an outdoor activity that captures their interest—such as cycling or playing frisbee—and schedule regular time for it.
Community should be embraced.
During summer break, it's important to consider that school often offers a vital community for kids, and your child might feel lonely without it. Ensure they have chances to spend time with their friends and encourage them to discover new communities. This could involve making friends in the neighborhood, joining clubs related to their interests, or seeking out support groups if they are dealing with specific mental health challenges. Additionally, plan various family activities – summer presents an ideal opportunity for meaningful parent-child bonding.
Regardless of how you choose to make your child's summer special, make sure to discuss your plans with them so they know what to look forward to. This way, they'll be prepared and enthusiastic about enjoying their school break.
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