Summer is here, and that means that kids are at home most of the time. What exactly do you do with a child who has so much energy? At the same time, what can you do to make sure their mental health is being taken care of? Summer can be a hard season for children who are used to getting extra support from their classmates, teachers, and other school staff. Here are some activities that can help you spend quality time with your child while taking care of their mental health as best as possible.
Here are 4 FUN-tastic things to do with your kids this summer:
- Let your child try new things!It is a normal part of child development for them to want to try to develop new skills and talents. This is what Eric Erikson called the Initiative vs. Guilt stage, in which he explains that children between the ages of 3 and 5 look to develop and use their new skills. When the parent or guardian allows this process in a safe space, the child will develop healthy initiative. Whereas if the parent shames the child for doing things in a way that does not align with the way the parents want them done, they can develop guilt, which consequently will lead the child to be fearful of trying new things. Let your child try new things in a safe environment to show that you can trust them. Celebrate their successes and recognize their efforts in their failures.
- Rough-and-Tumble Play!Children have a lot of energy in them and when that energy does not have the opportunity to come out, it will be expressed in big emotions like tantrums and irritability. To be able to diminish the buildup of these big emotions, a lot of rough-and-tumble play may be needed! This is especially true for boys who are adapting to their friend groups and discovering their abilities and boundaries. This type of play refers to activities that require a lot of movement and physical engagement. Go for a run, play football, or dance! Get the body moving!
- Read to your childSometimes children do not know how to solve problems in their social lives, even when adults give them advice. However, if the parent or guardian can find a book or a short story where the main character is going through similar problems and finds different solutions for them, the child might be able to better relate to the character and apply what they learned from the story to their lives. This time together also strengthens the relationship between you and your child.
- Sit down with your child and play!Many do not know the importance of presence in their children’s life but sitting down to play with your child for at least 15-20 minutes shows the child that you have a genuine interest in their lives. This type of play needs to look a little different in order for the child to feel cared for. It requires your complete attention, considering you need to be involved and aware of what your child is doing. This means there is no place for distractions! There are no phones or TVs playing in the background. If possible, try to narrate what your child is playing out to demonstrate to them that you are following their play. This type of play will help you strengthen your relationship with your child.
Don’t forget that there is always extra help and resources available for parents and guardians. Play therapy techniques can be very helpful for children who might be struggling with their mental health. Contact us for more information and options available.
Resources: https://www.verywellmind.com/erik-eriksons-stages-of-psychosocial-development-2795740
