Our kids are always so excited to be done with school and start summer vacation – but summer can be a busy time for us parents. Without the school day to structure our time around, it can be easy to fall out of routines, lose track of time, and before you know it, summer is over! Summer can also be a very active time, with lots of extra trips and activities for our kids that put them in new or unfamiliar situations, which might end up being overstimulating for kids with sensory sensitivities.
This is why I like to use “Summer Strategies” – ways to plan ahead to help keep my kids regulated for the whole summer.
This blog is part 1 of a series that will go through my 4 biggest summer strategies that I feel like can be used by pretty much anyone to help keep their kids regulated throughout the summer so that they (and you!) can have a great summer break.
Sticking to Routines
This first strategy is probably one of the most important – keeping structured. All kids need structure to thrive, but it is an absolute necessity for kids with sensory sensitivities. One of the most important things you can do over summer break is to do your best to keep it as structured as possible. During the school year, the days are very organized, and children generally know exactly what to expect, which is a big help when it comes to transitioning between activities.
Transitions are a sticking point for many kids, but especially those with sensory sensitivities. The best way to ease those transitions is to make sure that your child is as aware as possible of upcoming changes so that they aren’t a surprise. Keeping structured is the best way to do this! The more your children know what to expect, the better they can mentally and emotionally prepare to stop one activity and start another, and they won’t be caught off-guard when it’s time to change gears to do something different.
Try to have a daily routine around the house and stick to it as much as possible. Eating at the same time of day, having play time and quiet time at the same time each day, and even having a time of day that is specifically for going out (such as to the store or to an appointment, etc.) can be a huge help with keeping kids emotionally regulated. It can give them a similar sense of structure that they would get out of a school day. Knowing what to expect from their day can help them be prepared and help those tricky transition times run a little smoother.
Visual Schedules
Of course, it’s impossible to keep to the exact same schedule every day, but even a little structure goes a long way. And one of the best tools to help kids with structure and routine is a visual schedule. Whether you use a whiteboard, a velcro board, or something similar, having your child’s schedule clearly displayed for them so they always know what to expect can be a huge help, especially when you want them to be prepared for upcoming activities.
A visual schedule is a way to display your schedule using pictures so that it’s easy to see at a glance, and also easy to understand for children who can’t read yet. It’s best placed somewhere where you child will always see it, such as on a bedroom wall or door. Then you can go over the schedule with your child every morning and point out upcoming events or activities that will be different than their familiar routine.
You can have a daily, weekly, or monthly visual schedule depending on what works best for your child. This can also be an opportunity to help your younger children get a better grasp on time-related concepts as they count down the days to a fun trip or activity. Having a schedule up isn’t just for younger kids though–older kids get a lot of benefit out of it too. Ensuring the whole family is on the same page about summer activities will help everyone mentally and emotionally prepare for the days ahead.
Stay Structured This Summer With Stacy’s Sensory Solutions
Even with structure and schedules, transition times will always be tricky for many kids. But having a routine and knowing what’s up ahead can still be a big help to mitigate the worst of the trouble.
Hopefully, having a solid routine to stick to will help give you as a parent more of a structure to lean against as well! The amount of structure and routine you need will be different for everyone, so as long as you find what works best for you and your family, you’ll be in good shape to have an easier summer break.
If you’re ready to take those first steps into summer comfort, visit Stacy’s Sensory Solutions in Plano to find the ultimate selection of calming activities and equipment.
Contact us today or explore our online store to learn more about our sensory products!
