Tiny Transformations, a pediatric physical and occupational therapy practice provides tips for building self-regulation skills in your child during the summer break!
DAILY SCHEDULE: Emotionally and cognitively, children respond well to understanding their expectations and thrive when they can anticipate what is next in the routine.
There is something special about those summer mornings lounging around in PJs, but we can also find ourselves struggling to get children out the door when they are comfortable at home. Some suggestions that will help maintain internal organization and structure include:
- Maintaining an AM hygiene, dressing, and mealtime routine. This will outline times in the day when your children understand what is coming and can support ongoing development. Summer is a wonderful time to work on dressing, grooming, and mealtime preparation. Providing designated times or roles for your child during these casual periods will help them build confidence and independence for the coming school year.
- Scheduling outdoor activities and/or camp: offers an outline for the day and promotes constancy.
- Encouraging predictability: helps a child feel safe, independent and aware, and leads to the development of newly learned skills.
BEDTIME ROUTINE & CONSISTENT SLEEP SCHEDULES: There are various pre-bed strategies to support a healthy bedtime routine and sleep schedule. These include maintaining a consistent sleep time, creating a comfortable sleep environment free of disruptions, following a relaxing pre-bed ritual, and building healthy habits during the day. Providing plenty of opportunities for physical activity, combined with healthy food & water habits will also help prepare for a positive pre-bed transition. Here are some specific examples of tactics to support a healthy bedtime routine:
- A calming bath leading right into a change into pajamas
- Limiting screen time and prompting reading / listening to stories
- Creating a cozy corner with items like bean bag chairs, a small tent, a rocking chair, or comfortable blanket to signal it’s time to wind down.
- Modeling & changing sensory components in the child’s environment, including dimming lights, lowering music, closing blinds, arranging the child’s space or room. These actions help a child feel internally organized and provide external cues that bedtime is coming.
PLAY: Play is described as the occupation of childhood. Engaging in goal-directed play with your child fosters fine motor development, creativity, and pragmatic social skills.
- Examples of play include playdates, unstructured outdoor play, or structured groups such as music or sports lessons.
- Summer is also a wonderful time for engaging in sensory-motor play. Set up obstacle courses using stepping stones, tunnels, and a mini-trampoline. Swim, go to the playground, dig in sand or dirt, and paint with textured sponges.
Tiny Transformations is currently offering in-home appointments throughout Northern New Jersey, including Montclair and the surrounding towns! For any questions or concerns on maintaining regularity and supporting self-regulation during the upcoming summer break, please contact Tiny Transformations. We are here to help and support you and your family!
Tiny Transformations is currently offering in-home appointments throughout Northern New Jersey, including Montclair and the surrounding towns! Contact us via phone or email to find out how Tiny Transformations can best support your family.
 | Tiny Transformations: Pediatric Physical and Occupational Therapy |
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