School’s Out For Summer
It is heating up around here and school is coming to an end. We are headed into the summer season! As children say goodbye to their peers and adored teachers, head away from secure school structure and enter into a more relaxed atmosphere of summer break, it can bring on many mixed emotions for children and parents. You might be noticing feelings of ambivalence, anxiety, sadness, relief, anger, grief, or happiness from your child.
Transitioning from the structured environment of school to the freedom of summer break can be a significant adjustment for children, especially those who thrive on routine or struggle with change. It’s important for parents and caregivers to acknowledge and validate their children’s emotions during this transitional period. By offering support, reassurance, and guidance, parents can help their children navigate the mix of emotions that accompany the transition from school to summer break, fostering resilience and emotional well-being.
Let’s delve into some strategies that parents can use to help their children (and themselves) navigate this transition from the school year to summer break with greater ease.
1. Acknowledge and Validate Feelings:
- Listen actively: Create a safe space for your child to express any worries or anxieties they may have about the transition. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can alleviate stress.
- Validate their emotions: Let them know that it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and apprehension about the change. Validate their feelings by acknowledging them without judgment.
2. Establish a Summer Routine:
- Set a schedule: While summer break offers more freedom, maintaining some structure can help ease the transition. Work together with your child to create a loose daily schedule that includes a balance of leisure activities, chores, and learning opportunities.
- Include physical activity: Encourage outdoor play or enroll them in summer camps or sports programs to keep them active and engaged.
3. Encourage Goal Setting:
- Set summer goals: Help your child set achievable goals for the summer, whether it’s learning a new skill, reading a certain number of books, or mastering a hobby. Having goals gives them a sense of purpose and direction during the break.
- Break goals into smaller tasks: Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to prevent overwhelm. Celebrate their progress along the way to keep them motivated.
4. Foster Independence:
- Encourage autonomy: Use the summer break as an opportunity for your child to explore their interests and hobbies independently. Allow them to take the lead in planning activities and making decisions whenever appropriate.
- Promote self-care: Teach your child the importance of self-care by encouraging healthy habits such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, and practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
5. Stay Connected:
- Maintain social connections: Encourage your child to stay in touch with friends from school through virtual hangouts, phone calls, or in-person meetups. Social connections provide a sense of belonging and support during the transition.
- Family time: Plan regular family activities or outings to create memorable experiences and strengthen bonds.
6. Be Flexible:
- Adjust expectations: Recognize that not every day will go according to plan, and that’s okay. Be flexible and willing to adapt to unexpected changes or challenges that may arise during the summer break.
- Focus on the positives: Help your child reframe setbacks or disappointments as opportunities for growth and learning.
Remember that each child is unique, so feel free to tailor these approaches to suit your child’s individual needs and preferences. Ultimately, the goal is to create a supportive environment that empowers your child to thrive during this transitional period and beyond.
Happy Summer! ☀️
Tarrah Johnson is a Licensed Social Worker (LCSW). Tarrah has experience working with children, adolescents, and young adults. She carries expertise with youth facing a variety of obstacles in the areas of trauma, anxiety, depression, peer and family relationships, behavioral struggles, school avoidance, emotional regulation, and social skills. Working from a strengths-based perspective, she strives to provide both individuals and families with skills to overcome life’s difficult hurdles through support and assistance. She aims to help clients work through thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences, and as a guide to identify and establish life-changing goals.