Author: Danyelle Lynch

Written by Jocelyn Your

Summer is here, and while it is a great time for kids to relax and have fun, it is also important to keep their minds active and help them manage their emotions. I will share ideas to help your kids handle any sadness or grief, from saying goodbye to their teachers and friends
to staying engaged and fostering natural learning through play. Let’s make this summer both fun and enriching for your kids! 

Saying Goodbye to Teachers and Friends

As the school year ends, many children experience loss and sadness as they say goodbye to their teachers and friends for the summer. It is important to acknowledge these feelings and provide ways to help kids cope with the transition. These efforts can help ease the sadness of
parting and maintain friendships, ensuring that kids feel supported and connected until the new school year begins.

1. One creative approach is to start a memory project. Encourage your child to create a memory book with pictures, drawings, or mementos from the school year. Not only is this a fun craft activity, but it also helps them reflect on their positive experiences.

2. One other meaningful way to deal with these emotions is by writing letters. Invite your child to write letters to their teachers and friends, expressing their feelings and sharing their plans for the summer. This activity can provide a sense of closure and maintain a connection even when apart. 

3. To further ease the transition, consider planning a mid-summer reunion. Organizing a playdate at a local park or online gaming session gives kids something to look forward to and helps them stay connected with their school friends. 

Emotional Well-being: Engaging with Feelings Over the Summer

During the summer, kids may face emotional challenges as they miss their friends and the regular school routine.

4. To help older children deal with these feelings, you can encourage them to write daily in a journal. Journaling allows children to express their emotions and think about their experiences. You can give them prompts to start, such as “What made you happy today?” or “What do you miss about school?” 

5. Introduce mindfulness exercises suitable for kids to help them manage emotions. One simple technique, the Bubble Breath, involves inhaling deeply through the nose and visualizing blowing a giant bubble through the mouth, careful not to let it pop. This
exercise helps children focus and calm their minds, reducing stress and boosting happiness.

6. Another good option is expressing feelings through art. Simple art activities like drawing, painting, or crafting can help kids express their emotions creatively. Focus on projects that explore different feelings, like creating a feelings collage or painting how they feel today. 

7. It is also important to build a strong support network. Encourage regular video calls or playdates with friends and relatives to maintain social connections. Share ideas for group activities like online games, collaborative story writing, or virtual craft sessions to keep kids engaged and emotionally supported throughout the summer.

Nurturing Curiosity and Play

Summer is an ideal time to emphasize the importance of natural learning through play, keeping kids engaged and fostering their innate curiosity. Encouraging children to be curious and playful in their everyday experiences nurtures their development and creativity. By integrating these activities into their summer routine, caregivers can create a rich and playful environment that supports their children’s natural learning processes.

8. One way to achieve this is through storytelling and role play, which allows kids to create and explore new worlds. 

9. Another fun activity is cooking and baking. Introducing simple recipes that kids can make with adult supervision not only teaches them basic cooking skills but also incorporates lessons in math, science, and following instructions.

10. Gardening projects offer hands-on learning. Simple tasks like planting seeds, watering plants, and observing growth cycles can instill a sense of accomplishment and a deeper understanding of nature. 

11. Turn a simple walk into an adventure by creating a scavenger hunt list with items like different types of leaves, insects, and bird feathers. Teach children to observe and identify plants and animals they encounter and discuss their habitats. Bring along a field guide to
spark curiosity about the natural world.

Activities in the Community

Getting involved in the community over the summer offers numerous benefits, combining fun with new experiences for a vibrant and memorable summer. 

12. Local museums and parks provide rich learning opportunities, especially on free days or during special summer programs.

13. Edmonton’s Green Shack program is free for kids at many locations, come rain or shine. 

14. Participating in cultural events, pow wows, festivals, and parades also broadens their understanding of different cultures and fosters a sense of community. 

Summer is a great opportunity for kids to relax and have fun. Using any of these 14 tips, you can ensure that this summer is enjoyable and memorable, keeping your kids engaged and prepared for the upcoming school year.

Green Shack Programs https://www.edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/green-shacks

Mehta, R. Henriksen, D., Mishra, P., & Deep-Play Research Group. (2020). “Let children play!”: Connecting evolutionary psychology and creativity with Peter Gray. TechTends, 64, 684-689