Summer and Structure?
6/26/19
Even if school’s out, structure can still be “in”. In fact you (and your kids) really need it. By taking a few simple steps, you and your family can create a summer schedule that fits in fun and keeps your house running smoothly. Developing and following a simple summer schedule has the added bonus of an easier transition to school in the Fall!
First, talk together as a family and make a list of your summer activities (both the things you want to do and the things you need to do). Examples can include:
Next, make 2 types of schedules. One for a “stay at home” day and one for going out. Use these general schedules to guide your plans.
Example 1:
9:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Chores
10:30 a.m. Reading and summer assignments
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 p.m. Educational crafts and activities
2:00 p.m. Hobbies, computer time
3:00 p.m. Exercise, outdoor play, pool time
5:00 p.m. Free time
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Family time
Example 2:
9:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Chores
10:30 a.m. Visit the library/ Camp
12:30 p.m. Lunch in town
1:30 p.m. Trip to the park / Dr appointment
4:00 p.m. Errands
6:00 p.m. Dinner at home
7:00 p.m. Free time
These are ideas to get you started. By following a plan most days, you’ll be able to coordinate music lessons, when library books are due, and planned visits with friends or relatives. If there is a very different or unexpected day once in a while, it will be easier to get back on track if you have a plan ready to go. Getting used to a weekly routine is important to adopting a schedule successfully. Feeling overbooked or overscheduled? Your kids will show it in their behavior. You may feel it in your mood. The solution? Replace some activities with “free choice” or unstructured time. Research on child and adolescent development tells us that this approach can lead to more flexibility, more adaptability to change and more social success as adults. As a result, adding a bit of structure to your summer has both short term and long term benefits.
Have questions? Please consult with your ISBH provider.
Dr. Vinita Menon
Director of Psychological Services
In Step Behavioral Health
June 2019
Even if school’s out, structure can still be “in”. In fact you (and your kids) really need it. By taking a few simple steps, you and your family can create a summer schedule that fits in fun and keeps your house running smoothly. Developing and following a simple summer schedule has the added bonus of an easier transition to school in the Fall!
First, talk together as a family and make a list of your summer activities (both the things you want to do and the things you need to do). Examples can include:
- Exercise
- Chores
- Outdoor play
- Hobbies
- Pool time
- Sporting event
- Free time
- Classes or camps
- Appointments
- Vacations/travel days
- Visitors
- Library visits
Next, make 2 types of schedules. One for a “stay at home” day and one for going out. Use these general schedules to guide your plans.
Example 1:
9:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Chores
10:30 a.m. Reading and summer assignments
12:00 noon Lunch
1:00 p.m. Educational crafts and activities
2:00 p.m. Hobbies, computer time
3:00 p.m. Exercise, outdoor play, pool time
5:00 p.m. Free time
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:00 p.m. Family time
Example 2:
9:30 a.m. Breakfast
10:00 a.m. Chores
10:30 a.m. Visit the library/ Camp
12:30 p.m. Lunch in town
1:30 p.m. Trip to the park / Dr appointment
4:00 p.m. Errands
6:00 p.m. Dinner at home
7:00 p.m. Free time
These are ideas to get you started. By following a plan most days, you’ll be able to coordinate music lessons, when library books are due, and planned visits with friends or relatives. If there is a very different or unexpected day once in a while, it will be easier to get back on track if you have a plan ready to go. Getting used to a weekly routine is important to adopting a schedule successfully. Feeling overbooked or overscheduled? Your kids will show it in their behavior. You may feel it in your mood. The solution? Replace some activities with “free choice” or unstructured time. Research on child and adolescent development tells us that this approach can lead to more flexibility, more adaptability to change and more social success as adults. As a result, adding a bit of structure to your summer has both short term and long term benefits.
Have questions? Please consult with your ISBH provider.
Dr. Vinita Menon
Director of Psychological Services
In Step Behavioral Health
June 2019
