Supporting Children’s Mental Health During Summer Break
Sing it with me… “School’s out for summer!”
The end of the school year can bring a mix of excitement and stress for parents looking to keep their children happy, healthy, and occupied during the break. While summer vacation offers a welcome break from academics and packed schedules, it can also be a time when students experience a “slide.” While this is often discussed in terms of learning loss, mental health can be affected too when routines, structure, and support systems become less consistent during the summer months.
If these concerns sound familiar, here are three helpful ways to support your child’s mental health this summer:
Consistency
Creating a routine with your child can be a powerful way to support mental health and build healthy habits. One of the most important places to start is sleep. Going to bed and waking up at about the same time each day can provide structure, stability, and a sense of balance – especially for teens.
Healthy sleep routines support both mental and physical well-being, and they can also make the transition back to school smoother when summer ends. Remember, your summer routine does not have to look exactly like your school-year routine. The key is creating something manageable and consistent.
Connection
During the school year, children usually have regular opportunities to interact with peers. In the summer, those social connections may require a little more intention. Staying connected with friends and peers can support emotional well-being and help children feel engaged and supported.
In-person activities can also reduce the temptation to spend too much time on screens. Camps, playgroups, community events, or inviting a friend to join a family outing are all simple ways to help children maintain meaningful social connections throughout the summer.
Coping
Summer can be a great time for children to build coping skills and discover what helps them manage stress and difficult emotions. Without the pressures of homework, tests, and busy school schedules, there may be more room to practice healthy emotional habits.
That might look like spending time outside, trying mindfulness activities, journaling, taking walks, or simply identifying calming strategies that work for your child. Nature can be especially grounding, and spending time outdoors often benefits both children and adults.
A little structure, connection, and emotional support can go a long way in helping children stay healthy throughout the summer. By being intentional about routines and well-being, families can make summer not only fun, but restorative too.
For a list of 101 Coping Skills to try, click here.
Check out the Summer Activity Bingo for some extra fun!
Below are links to some local summer activities for littles and teens:
Gladstone Recreation Summer Events Program
https://www.ci.gladstone.or.us/media/29326
(Please note: an adult is required to accompany children)
Clackamas County Community Event Calendar