Helping Children Transition from the School Year to Summer Break

As the school year comes to a close, many parents breathe a sigh of relief. But along with the excitement of summer often comes the challenge of transitioning your child from the structured routine of school to the more flexible days of summer. While summer is a time for fun, relaxation, and family bonding, it can also bring up new concerns for parents. How do you keep your child engaged without over-scheduling them? How do you strike the right balance between screen time and outdoor play? How can you prevent the “summer slide” in academic learning? These are just a few questions that come up when preparing for the break.

This transition has the potential to be smooth and fulfilling with a bit of planning and creativity. In this post, we’ll explore strategies for managing screen time, finding child care solutions, maintaining summer learning, and striking a healthy balance between structure and freedom. We’ll also cover the benefits of continuing therapy in summer and how to fit it into your schedule. Whether you’re looking for ways to foster quality family time or avoiding burnout from over-scheduling, we’ll guide you through the process to ensure that this summer is a time of growth, joy, and connection for your child and family.

Managing Screen Time and Technology Use

One of the biggest challenges during the summer months is managing your child’s screen time. With more free time and fewer plans, kids can easily spend hours on screens. While technology can be a great tool for learning and entertainment, many parents feel it is important to find a balance and encourage other types of engagement.

Strategies to manage screen time:

• Set clear expectations: Create a family screen time policy. For example, you could limit screen time to a set number of hours per day or reserve screen time for after outdoor play or chores are completed.
  
• Encourage variety: Offer alternatives to screens, such as reading, arts and crafts, puzzles, or outdoor activities like biking or swimming.
  
• Lead by example: Children tend to model behavior. Setting boundaries for your own screen time can encourage your child to do the same.
  
• Make screen time purposeful: Use educational apps or programs that engage your child’s mind in a meaningful way, ensuring that screen time still offers value.
  

Balancing technology use with other activities not only helps protect your child’s mental and physical health, but it also creates opportunities for them to develop new skills and interests during the summer.

Summer Learning and Academic Regression

Many parents worry about academic regression during the summer break, often referred to as the “summer slide.” Shifting from structured school days to relaxed summer routines can cause academic skill loss, especially in reading and math. However, summer is also an opportunity to encourage your child’s natural curiosity and learning in a less formal, more relaxed way.

Strategies to maintain summer learning:

• Reading challenges: Encourage your child to read by creating a summer reading list. You can reward them with small incentives or allow them to pick out their own books to cultivate their interests.
  
• Learning through play: Many games and activities, such as board games, cooking together, or building a DIY science project, can enhance learning without the feeling of “school work.”
  
• Educational outings: Take field trips to museums, zoos, botanical gardens, or historical sites. These hands-on learning experiences are memorable and educational.
  
• Set small learning goals: If your child struggles with maintaining focus over the summer, set small, achievable academic goals. Short, frequent learning sessions (like 15-20 minutes of reading or math a few times a week) can be very effective.
  

Incorporating learning into summer activities in a fun and low-pressure way can help your child transition and keep their academic skills sharp without the burnout that often accompanies the school year.

Quality Family Time vs. Over-scheduling

It’s easy to fall into over-scheduling when planning summer activities for kids. Parents often feel the pressure to make every moment count by filling the calendar with activities, trips, and playdates. However, this can lead to burnout for both parents and children, and the moments of family connection can get lost in the shuffle.

Strategies to foster quality family time:

• Limit scheduled activities: Instead of signing your child up for every available camp or class, select a few activities that you can commit to, leaving some room for spontaneity and relaxation.
  
• Focus on family-oriented fun: Plan activities that foster family connection, like cooking, hiking, or picnicking together.
  
• Prioritize downtime: Sometimes, the best family moments come from simply being together without a plan. Whether it’s movie night or chatting outside, make time to simply be present together.
  
• Quality over quantity: Focus on meaningful interactions rather than trying to pack in as much as possible. Children remember quality time, not just the number of events they attended.
  

Why Keeping Therapy Going During Summer Can Benefit Your Child

Many parents pause therapy in summer, assuming vacations or camps will disrupt routines or change their child’s needs. However, continuing therapy through the summer months can offer significant benefits. For children, therapy provides a consistent space to process emotions, navigate challenges, and develop coping skills. These can be helpful during transitions like going to and returning from camp or adjusting to summer activities. Continuity in therapy also reinforces the importance of emotional and mental well-being year-round, helping children maintain the progress they’ve made throughout the school year.

Staying consistent with therapy in summer helps children stay on track and avoid setbacks from long breaks. For children dealing with anxiety, social challenges, or behavioral concerns, the summer months can bring about unique stressors—whether it’s dealing with less structured time, social pressures at camp, or transitioning between different caregivers. Summer therapy gives children a safe, consistent space to process experiences and navigate emotional changes.

For parents looking to maintain therapy through the summer, creative scheduling can make a big difference. Some therapists may offer virtual sessions, which can be especially convenient for families with vacations or travel. With fewer extracurriculars, summer often offers a lighter schedule to take advantage of. This could provide an opportunity to schedule therapy during times that are typically too packed during the school year. 

Parents can “co-create” a summer plan with the therapist, finding convenient times or adjusting session frequency. By thinking creatively and making therapy a priority, parents can ensure their child’s emotional and psychological growth continues smoothly into the summer months.

Start Your Summer Strong with Expert Support

Transitioning from the school year to summer can be a challenge. But with thoughtful planning and creative problem-solving, it can also be a time of growth, relaxation, and connection for your family. Whether juggling screen time, childcare, or learning, the key is approaching summer with flexibility and joy.

At Upshur Bren Psychology Group, we understand the challenges that come with parenting during transitions like summer break. Our team is here to support you and your family in navigating these challenges. We offer individual therapy, family counseling, and coaching tailored to your unique needs. If you’re looking for additional support or guidance in making the most of your summer, we invite you to schedule a consultation call with us today. Let us help you create a summer that supports your child’s emotional and developmental well-being.