How to Integrate School Routines Into Summer Fun

Many parents look forward to the end of summer. With the kids back in school, they finally have time to breathe! But some kids have a harder time transitioning from the freewheeling freedom of summer vacation to autumn’s more structured schedule, which can make the end of summer a difficult time for everyone involved. Fortunately, you can start preparing for that transition now. Adding a bit more structure to your child’s day will make the start of school feel much less jarring for them.

Today, we want to provide some suggestions for how you can start transitioning your child from summer mode to learning mode. We’ve also included some examples so you can still see how this process works. Want a bit more personalized guidance? Call the team at Flourishing Lives. We’ll be happy to help.

Simple Tips for Preparing for the Start of School

We suggest starting the transition process 4-6 weeks before the first day of school. Structure your child’s day to mimic the routines and activities they experience during the school year. Limit screen time and encourage play that promotes concentration and listening skills.

Your next step is determining what areas your child needs to focus on as they prepare for school. We suggest identifying 1-3 areas where your child struggles at school. For example, they may struggle to pay attention or sit still for long periods.

Once you know which areas you’d like your child to work on, it’s time to identify playful ways to develop those skills. To do this effectively, you’ll need to identify the root cause of your child’s difficulties and then match fun summertime activities that address those causes.

Are You Looking For Ways To Improve Your Child’s Handwriting?

Handwriting challenges can often be linked to decreased strength in the arms, wrists, and hands, as well as difficulties with coordinating these movements. Here are some strategies to help strengthen these areas and improve your child’s handwriting skills:

• Upper Body Strengthening: Activities such as playing on monkey bars, holding onto a rope swing, or tossing a weighted ball can help build the necessary strength.

• Art-Based Activities: Engage your child in creative activities like painting or playing with play dough. These activities not only enhance hand strength but also promote creativity. As your child progresses, introduce more challenging materials like clay to further develop their fine motor skills.

Are You Looking For Ways To Help Your Child Transition From Recess Or Circle Time To Tabletop Activities?

Difficulty with transitions can be due to challenges with motor planning (the ability to stop one task and start another) or adaptability (adjusting to changes in plans). Here are some strategies to make transitions smoother:

• Make Learning Fun: Children are often resistant to leaving a familiar task for a new one. Use a positive tone and enthusiastic body language to make new activities appealing. Demonstrating the task can engage their interest, thanks to mirror neurons, which help children learn by observing and imitating others.
• Transition Aids: Use tools like timers or visual timers to help your child anticipate and prepare for changes. Techniques such as “first this, then that” can also be effective. For example, if you’re playing hide and seek, add a new element by hiding multiple objects and then perform a “secret handshake” after finding them. This helps your child adapt to changes, improves sequencing skills, and enhances coordination—skills that are also beneficial for handwriting.

These strategies can help your child develop better handwriting skills and adapt more easily to changes in their daily routine.

Meet Gwen Claussen

Gwen Claussen, the visionary CEO of Flourishing Lives, transformed her personal journey of overcoming her son’s premature birth and medical challenges into a passionate mission to help other families.

Experiencing firsthand the transformative power of occupational therapy, particularly in sensory integration, Gwen was inspired to ensure that other families received the same life-changing support. In 2020, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Gwen rebranded and revitalized the clinic, driven by her unwavering commitment to positively impacting children’s lives.

Under her leadership, Flourishing Lives has become a beacon of hope and support for children facing developmental hurdles. Gwen’s dedication to providing specialized pediatric occupational therapy has fostered an environment where children can thrive, grow, and achieve their full potential. Her journey from a determined parent to a dedicated CEO highlights her deep empathy and relentless drive to support families navigating similar challenges.

Read More About Gwen

Ryder’s Success

When Ryder first began his journey at Flourishing Lives, he faced significant challenges in attending school and community-based events. Struggling to express himself, he could only manage to attend two hours of school each day. Despite these hurdles, his kind and determined nature shone through, making it clear that he had the potential to overcome these obstacles.

In order to achieve his goals, the therapy team first worked on developing rapport to help him expand his play. Making him feel safe built his confidence to try new things. He worked hard with the team, pushing past his own anxiety to attend sessions. Once he engaged in therapy, the team graded each activity to build on the previous session, focusing on strength, bilateral coordination, and functional communication—all skills needed for school and community gatherings.

His mother reported that this will be the first time in five years that he will be able to attend a full day of school. Ryder’s confidence has soared, and he is excited to start school, make new friends, and have an amazing year ahead!

— Sheena Patel, MOTR/L; Clinical Director