Summer Tips for ADHD Kids
Summer break is a great opportunity for children with ADHD to relax and have fun, but it can also be a challenging time for them. Without the structure of the school day, it can be difficult for children with ADHD to stay organized and focused. However, there are many activities that can help children with ADHD thrive during the summer months. Here are some ideas to consider:
Get outdoors
Spending time outside is a great way to burn off energy and improve focus. Activities like hiking, biking, swimming, and playing team sports can help kids with ADHD stay active and engaged. Encourage your child to take breaks throughout the day to get some fresh air and exercise.
Explore new hobbies
Summer break is a great time to explore new interests and hobbies. Help your child find something they enjoy, such as art, music, cooking, or coding. Encourage them to set goals and track their progress to help them stay motivated. Here are some ideas for activities, hobbies, and games kids can do over the summer to keep them off of screens.
Keep a routine
While it’s important to have fun and relax during the summer months, it’s also important to maintain some structure. Create a daily routine with set times for meals, activities, and bedtime. This can help your child with ADHD feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness activities, such as yoga or meditation, can help children with ADHD learn to focus and manage their emotions. There are many apps and online resources available to help your child practice mindfulness at home.
Read and write
Encourage your child to read for pleasure and keep a journal to practice writing skills. Reading can help improve focus and attention, while writing can help your child process their thoughts and emotions. Even just simple reading and writing tasks can keep their skills sharper and prevent back-tracking over the summer break. Here are some more resources to help with this:
- LearningRx’s Summer Reading Program (2024) – win local prizes for reading!
- Summer journal prompts to practice writing
- 3 ways to make summer reading more fun
Limit screen time
While it’s tempting to let your child spend an extended time in front of the TV or playing video games, too much screen time can be detrimental to their mental health and well-being. Set limits on screen time and encourage your child to engage in other activities instead.
Brain training for ADHD
Children with ADD and ADHD diagnoses often have a difficult time learning and functioning inside and outside the classroom. Fortunately, brain training is an effective intervention that can help lessen symptoms for kids struggling with ADD and ADHD! Brain training changes the structure of the brain by aiding in the formation of new neural pathways that boost cognitive skills and make learning easier.
Brain training over the summer can help ADHD kids learn to focus, read, remember, and learn more successfully!
