With summer here it is a good time to review a summer mental health checklist for kids. After reviewing many resources it is clear that a summer mental health checklist for kids should include activities that promote well-being, reduce stress, and foster social connections. This can involve structured routines, fun activities, and open communication about feelings. In addition activities that focus on helping kids connect with themselves and others, find enjoyment in everyday moments, and develop healthy coping mechanisms are important to have in the summer schedule.
Here are five categories to be included in any summer mental heatlh checklist for kids.
1. Structure and Routine:
- Maintain a daily schedule: Even with a less structured schedule, having a basic routine (wake-up times, mealtimes, bedtimes, etc.) can provide stability and reduce anxiety. Knowing what the schedule for the day is, including unstructured time, is setting the expectation for everyone, which can reduce worry and stress.
- Summer schedules: Consider creating a summer schedule that incorporates fun activities with structured time for relaxation and downtime. Summer days can be exhausting with longer daylight and being active outdoors, so make sure there is time to relax and slow it down.
2. Social Connection and Activity:
- Spend time with friends and family: Encourage social interaction and participation in group activities. This can include time with family, friends, and even meeting knew people, such as at the playground or ballfield.
- Hobbies and interests: Allow children to explore and pursue hobbies that bring them joy and a sense of purpose. Maybe it is learning a new craft or musical instrument, or even doing a special project around the house.
- Outdoor activities: Promote outdoor play and physical activity, which can boost mood and reduce stress. This can include hiking, biking, skateboarding, kayaking, and many more.
3. Emotional Well-being:
- Open communication: Create a safe space for children to talk about their feelings and worries. Ask open ended questions about how they are doing, how they are feeling, what they liked and enjoyed about the day and what they didn’t like or would do differently.
- Express emotions: Encourage children to express their emotions through various outlets, such as journaling, drawing, or creative activities. Model these activities to reinforce the importance of expressing themselves. Maybe have family journal time, art time, or quite time for reflection.
- Mindfulness and relaxation: Teach simple mindfulness techniques or relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or yoga. Remove distractions such a noise and phones.
4. Self-Care:
- Healthy eating: Facilitate healthy eating habits and hydration, as these have a direct impact on mental health. While summer is often time for ice cream and snacks, provide healthy food options daily.
- Adequate sleep: Promote regular sleep habits, as sleep is crucial for cognitive development and emotional regulation. While bed times and wake up times may differ in the summer, they are still important for rest and routine.
- Limit screen time: Facilitate breaks from screens and encourage other activities like playing outside or being with family.
5. Support
- Professional help: If needed, seek support from a therapist or counselor. This may be needed for the child, the parent, and/or the family depending on circumstances.
- Parental support: Be a source of support and understanding for your child’s emotional needs. Be present and available to listen and hear concerns. Model good mental and physical health practices.
- Community resources: Explore local resources, such as summer camps or community centers, that can provide structured activities and social opportunities. Community activities are great opportunities to meet knew people and increase social connections.
6. Resources
The following resources were used for this article. For more detailed information on any of the above, check out these links. Happy summer!!
- Taking Care of Mental Health Over the Summer – Livermore Valley Joint Unified Schl Dist
- Summer Schedules and Why Children Need Them | Brown University Health
- What kids need for a mentally healthy summer – Pittsburgh Parent
- 7 Ways to Help Your Kids Maintain Summer Structure – The Kids Mental Health Foundation
- Summer Break Survival Guide – Children’s Mental Health Tips – Backpack Healthcare
- Strategies to nurture Your Child’s Mental Health this Summer – School Mental Health
- Preparing for a Safe Summer: a “Top Ten” Mental Health Checklist for Parents | by Effective School Solutions | Medium
- Summer Mental Health Activities for Kids – Crisis Text Line
