School may be out but routines are necessary for children this summer.
It may be tempting to let go of routines when summer hits but research shows this can make summer more difficult to manage. Sleeping in throws off bedtimes, snacking during the day interferes with nutritional eating, and no structure for activities can lead to boredom, innovative house destruction, or increased negative behaviors, not to mention when school starts in the fall, you’ll have to break them back into a daily routine.
Children develop a sense of security and comfort when they trust their environment and its people. Routines are essential to this development because their days contain repetition, predictability, and familiarity which build that trust. Since children know what to expect, they can transition easily into a new activity or focus on learning something new. In older children, it encourages them down a path of independence. You’ll notice a structured day leads to children who are less stressed and sleep better – every parent’s dream!
Routines are important for children with learning disabilities as they reduce anxiety, build a sense of security, and help regulate their behaviors/emotions. As a parent, you may already understand the effects of a consistent schedule, home rules, and praise. Keeping your existing schedule and replacing school with structured activities will add predictability to their day and reduce the transition strain.
What should I do to structure my summer schedule?
Summer and pleasant weather encourage spending more time outdoors. Make time spent outside purposeful by giving directions on how to spend their time. Encourage them to read, color, and eat lunch outside along with the typical riding bikes and general play. Have them get creative by designing a new game or obstacle course!
Incorporate school subjects into their routine through summer reading. This will keep their skills sharp and make heading back to school less of a lane switch. Now is a great time for children with learning disabilities to experience the core four subjects because it allows them to “learn” or show their learning in creative ways they might not get in a school setting. Explore topics they enjoy with special field trips to places that interest them. Write a story about a summer adventure they lived (fiction or non-fiction) by recording it through a microphone rather than typing. Practice writing with sticks in the sand at the beach. Explore their community using a map they created and let them lead. Let them lead the way in how they want to learn, they may not even realize they are doing school at home!
Most parents agree to allow their children free time when they come home from school since they have been in a structured setting most of the day. While downtime is important, the key is to keep it within a schedule. This helps children understand when to transition from choice time to another structured activity like meals or bedtime. Since the summer tends to keep a more busy schedule, include downtime after lunch or for an afternoon break. Maintain the same dinner time and keep the expectation they will need to have their area cleaned up and ready to eat dinner. After dinner can be reserved for family time before their bedtime routine.
When creating your summer schedule, keep in mind these three components:
- Consistency
- Predictability
- Follow-Through
Consistency in your day will keep security and comfort since children will know what to expect.
Keep things predictable even with special gatherings or trips. If you are out for the morning, make sure the kids know what will happen once they get home. Example: You’re at the zoo in the morning but after lunch, they can read or do puzzles.
Follow-through is key for summer. With many special requests for play dates or special toys, keep your word if you say you’ll get those water balloons out!
Get started with your own summer schedule:
- Start by scheduling the must-dos. These are the activities that are non-negotiables and can include the typical morning and evening routines. Keep the same wake-up and bedtimes to keep you on schedule.
- Schedule your mealtimes and when they are allowed to have snacks, this helps limit them asking for snacks throughout the day. Keeping the snacks in an easy-to-grab place also helps them know what to eat and promotes independence.
- Incorporate some downtime or quiet time if they are past the point of naps and allow their body to rest. It’s important to set your expectations for screen time here as well.
- If they are responsible for chores let them know when they are expected to complete them.
- Don’t forget to be flexible. Provide alternative activities in case it rains when you plan to go to the park. If your errands take longer than expected, let them know what they can expect when you get home.
- Prepare them when your schedule doesn’t fit the norm: think about summertime activities like camping, going to a family member’s house, or hitting up a zoo or museum. Similar to a field trip day at school, talk about it before the actual day arrives.
- Let children give input on what they would like to do!
- For younger children, let them cross off each activity as they happen.
For children with learning disabilities, it is important to talk through these changes with them. Help them understand what their summer plans include and promote predictability to lower their anxiety. Be sure to focus on the routine as well as the fun!
Here is a sample schedule for a younger child, keep in mind you know your family best and can identify which components work for your children and where you’ll need to be creative. This schedule is created with some school components for a day when you had more planning time available.
Here is a schedule for an older child who is responsible for some chores.
Consider organizing your playtime with zones in your home. This helps them know what they can play with and how to be creative with what is available.
- Morning is free-play in their rooms or backyard while you get organized for the day.
- Early afternoon can be playtime in in the playroom/basement/play kitchen/ or other area
- Late afternoon is playtime in the front yard
No matter how you schedule your summer days, have fun and focus on the family!
