Mental Health Matters: Managing Sensory Overload During the Holidays

By Jessica Chamoun, Intervention Specialist  The end of the school year is just around the corner, and the countdown for the summer vacation has begun. While finding entertaining activities for kids is important, it's equally crucial that kids have access to relaxation and rest and take a much-needed break from the demands of the school year and technology. For some children, on the other hand, the summer break might be overwhelming due to the lack of structure and schedule. Here are some ways you can support your child’s mental health and social emotional skills over the summer: Stick to a routine. It can be helpful to maintain some structure throughout the summer days. Sticking to a routine can help kids feel more secure in general. To ensure that, try to establish regular bedtimes, mealtimes, and chore schedules. Limit electronic use. Excessive screen usage can have a negative impact on your child's emotions. It can cause stress and worry, or even disrupt sleep. Limit and restrict screen time to one hour a day and ensure that your child is using it responsibly. Spend time outdoors. Ensure that your child is getting less screen time and more time outside. Physical activity, exposure to nature, and engaging in hobbies and summer camp activities can improve your child’s emotional wellbeing and strengthen their social skills. Journaling. Have your child express gratitude, write stories, or even explore their emotions, through journaling. Journaling can provide children with the opportunity for expression and fosters emotional control and self-awareness, giving them the tools they need to successfully manage their emotions. Connect with friends and family. Set up play dates and meetups at homes or outdoors. Kids can reconnect with their friends and spend more time with their family throughout the summer. It's crucial that they maintain relationships with the people they care about, and the summer offers a wonderful opportunity to do so. Schedule emotional check- ins. Check in with your child daily and ask them to express their feelings and what events during the day contributed to their feelings. Click here for additional resources.

By Jessica Chamoun, Intervention Specialist  Even though kids' motivation naturally declines following spring break, this is the time of year when they probably have the most work on their hands. Between deadlines, tests, assignments, and final presentations and projects, there is a lot that needs to be completed and turned in. The last quarter of the school year can have a significant impact on their performance and outcome, which is why helping your child conclude the school year strong is crucial. Here are some suggestions you can implement during the final quarter of school to keep your child motivated: Stick to routines. Try your best to continue to reinforce your child’s after-school routines throughout this time of the year to ensure a strong finish. Remain consistent and maintain a sense of normalcy with your child’s afternoon homework schedule and bedtime. Set attainable goals. Work with your child to set one or two attainable goals, such as submitting all homework assignments, following up with a teacher as needed, trying to raise a grade in a specific subject, or even increasing a specific amount of good behavior days. Setting and achieving goals can help your child stay focused and motivated towards the end of the school year. Incorporate incentives. Integrate enjoyable breaks and rewards into your child's everyday routine. Consider giving your child smaller rewards for tasks that yield significant outcomes, such as preparing for an important assignment or taking an exam. The reward can be a privilege, such as enjoying an afternoon with a friend or watching 30 minutes of television after completing homework. Create a countdown calendar. Help your child create a weekly schedule to assign and mark tests, assignments, and end-of-year activities. Children respond better to visual reminders and can remain engaged when holidays and assignment deadlines are combined. This will also help your child visualize what to anticipate throughout the remaining school days. Take advantage of being outdoors. Encourage your child to change scenery or enjoy some outdoor play and movement now that the weather is warmer. Doing homework outdoors, studying in the park, or even taking brain breaks can be very beneficial in increasing productivity and attention. Research shows that any form of outdoor movement or exercise can be beneficial, especially before homework, and can have a positive impact on focus. Click here for additional resources.