Why it makes sense
There is nothing quite like the last day of school. Celebrations echo down the hallways as kids excitedly exit the building, their backpacks bouncing behind. Teachers walk out of the building with a very well-earned sense of relief. Parents take their kids out for celebratory frozen yogurt or frozen ice.
But somewhere between the sweet treat and home, a reality starts to set in for parents. For the next eight weeks, the school year’s structure has disappeared. Suddenly, parents start to face new challenges like how to deal with summer boredom, incessant requests for screen time, and the pressure to keep kids engaged day after day.
What many parents do not realize is that summer actually provides a unique opportunity. Those long summer days offer many possibilities for purposeful play. With a little creativity, you can use very simple activities to develop skills that will build independence, confidence, and competence. The best part? Your kids will have fun along the way!
As a pediatric Occupational Therapist, I encourage families to focus on three key skill areas during the summer months: fine motor, executive functioning, and regulation. Not only will these make summer days more structured and enjoyable for the parents, but it will also help to prevent the dreaded “summer slide.”
Fine motor skills involve the muscles of the hands and include hand strength, coordination, and dexterity. They are crucial for everyday activities like getting dressed, opening containers, and using utensils. They are also foundational for many academic tasks like writing, cutting, or using school tools.
Executive functioning skills include things like problem-solving, memory, planning, and organizing. These skills help children follow multi-step directions, manage different tasks, and stay focused. The ability to demonstrate these skills sets your child up for success inside and outside of the classroom.
Regulation skills include things like processing sensory input, maintaining attention, and managing emotions. These skills help a child adapt to new environments and navigate social situations at home, at school, and in the community.
Purposeful play means intentionally providing opportunities for kids to engage in their natural environment while also being mindful of the skills they are developing along the way. Play is inherently intriguing and engaging to a child, which makes it the best pathway for learning. To keep the interests going throughout the summer, introduce a variety of activities and allow them time to find success with the activity before gradually introducing more challenging ones.
Summer activity ideas:
Fine Motor:
- Rock painting
- Sidewalk chalk
- Sensory bins (water tables are great for practicing scooping and pouring)
- Use a water bottle to water plants
- Simple science experiments (baking soda + vinegar is a family favorite)
- Play dress-up
- Pack a lunch and/or backpack for “backyard camping”
- Play with playdough and use plastic scissors to cut
- Start a neighborhood sticker swap or pen pal club (great for older elementary students)
Executive functioning:
- Go on a scavenger hunt
- Play I-spy in your home
- Build an obstacle course (indoors or outdoors)
- Follow a recipe from start to finish (bonus: builds fine motor skills)
- Complete a craft kit or LEGO set by following step-by-step directions
Regulation:
- Host a special family game night (encourage following rules, taking turns, and coping with not always winning)
- Spend time on a playground- let them climb, swing, and slide for excellent sensory input
- Practice yoga or take turns choosing animals for animal walk impressions
- Create a simple sidewalk chalk path for them to follow on the driveway
- Blow (and pop) bubbles
- Set up a cool and cozy reading nook for relaxation and quiet time
Working in the school system for over six years with kids of all ability levels- and as a mom of three young boys- I have some advice to share.
First, chunk your day during the summer- it’s important to be mindful of heat and the sun when playing outside. We typically do our outdoor activities in the morning (pre-nap or before lunch) and save indoor, crafty activities for when the sun is at its peak. Also, schedule a time where nothing is planned. Boredom is not only okay, but also necessary. It builds important skills like problem-solving and independent thinking. It also encourages innovation and creativity.
Second, start by leading the activities, then step back. When you start by leading, you help them feel supported while learning the new task. When you step back, that’s when you can truly observe your child’s ingenuity and problem-solving skills. Give them positive feedback to make them feel confident when facing new challenges.
Third, help minimally. Offer the least amount of help needed to make your child successful. Kids learn more through a little trial and error. You are not going for perfection, just progress and confidence.
This summer, when that bit of anxiety starts to creep in, I hope you can come back to these ideas to help keep your summer fun, enjoyable, and meaningful. Small tweaks to your schedule and simple activities can make a big difference. If all else fails, think back to those simple ‘90s summers we all loved as kids and try to capture that same feeling.
Because play isn’t just fun, it’s what defines childhood.
About the Author:
Melissa Van Wyk is a pediatric Occupational Therapist and owner of Make it Make Sensory LLC, a mobile private Occupational Therapy practice serving local children. She specializes in play-based therapy to support childhood development.