We’ve heard of it, the summer slide. Research shows that
over the summer students lose reading and math skills, sometimes by as much of
20% pf a year’s skills in reading and nearly 30% in math. This is super
concerning especially when students in low income households tend to lose the
most. What we often don’t hear about are the executive function slides that
happen over the summer, particularly for students with disabilities like ADHD
and ASD.
Executive function includes skills like time management,
planning and task initiation. We work hard over the school year to develop
these skills, and we can do things over the summer to help our children build
and maintain them.
Here are some simple things you can do to help your summer
go more smoothly for your children who are struggling. They also reinforce
planning and time management skills that are essential for life success.
1.
Balance structure and flexibility. Have
some routines that you continue: weekly religious service attendance, Sunday
family dinners or lunches, weekly room cleaning, Friday game night, chores and
exercise. These routines provide structure but do not prevent essential free
time.
2.
Establish an expected bedtime and wake time.
Yes, kids want to sleep in and stay up late, but it takes up to two weeks to
allow your internal clock to reset. These routines help children have the daytime
for family, human interaction and friends and limit doom scrolling. Set bedtime
and wake times also help maximize a child’s ability to learn and control their
emotions and behaviors. Routines help build executive functions.
3.
Map out daily and weekly plans. What are
you doing today or this week? Especially younger kids still benefit from
schedules that you plan. Children can help plan vacations, even if it is a
choice: horseback riding or swimming, roasting s’mores or going for ice cream.
Have them think about what is on the schedule for the week. Include things like
doctor appointments, chores and summer reading requirements. Plan how to read
at least three books over the summer. Make it a contest between them and you on
who can read the most interesting book or read a book together. Every week,
share progress as you read.
4.
Manage screen time. We are finishing up
our first school year without cell phones in school. Prevent bounce back
addiction by maintaining limits that exist during the school year. When I was a
kid it was TV, now it is social media and YouTube. Kids being bored is
important because it provides time to build creativity. Don’t buy in to the “I
don’t have anything other than the screen to keep me busy” complaint. They have
plenty, if they use their minds.
5.
Sign your child up for activities. Send
kids out to play. Send them to rec centers, library programs, summer camps,
book clubs, volunteer opportunities, classes to learn new skills or jobs. This
helps structure their time, facilitates social interactions and gives them
structure that all kids benefit from.
6.
Tackle a big project together. Summer is
a great time to work on a project with your child. It could be growing a
garden, refinishing a piece of furniture, cleaning out the basement, building a
Lego robot or a soapbox derby car, or learn a new skill like knitting or baking
together. Even going through each closet and dresser. Donating or disposing of
things that don’t fit or you don’t want any more is a great together task. Have
them plan how to complete the task, predict how long each step will take and
evaluate how they are moving toward success.
7.
Establish parent check ins. How are
things going over the summer? Are they accomplishing the things they want? Are
they troubled by a relationship with a friend? Are they frustrated because they
cannot do something their friend can? What is the most interesting thing they
did this week? What is something nice they did for someone each day? What do
they need help with? What do they think they can begin to tackle that they
could not before? Are they excited that they accomplished a goal? Are they
anxious about the new school year or move to a new school? Can you plan a trip
to check out the new school or talk to a teacher about how to prepare children
for the year ahead? Talk about what is working or not and how to adjust the
routines they have.
By helping your child plan activities and goals and track
progress toward them, you are helping them use those executive skill muscles
that we want every child to develop. You are also helping them be ready for the
fall when it comes around. Good luck and happy summer.
