Tips for making the most of the Summer holidays
We know that the longer holidays can provide lots of opportunities for fun and bonding, but can also be a source of concern and challenges for families.
Here are some tips to help you make the most of this special and challenging time.
Preparation
Prepare children with social stories, discussions and calendars. Help the child know what to expect, reduce uncertainty and increase predictability.
By spending some time preparing for the holiday period, our families can identify the strategies and activities that help them navigate the changes in their daily routine and enjoy the rest of the summer break together.
Many libraries, museums, theme parks, and other public settings offer sensory maps and visit guides. Involving our children in the research process can be helpful if they enjoy it. Check if the places have quiet areas for sensory breaks and consideration of scheduling breaks to prevent children from becoming overwhelmed may be an important part of the planning.
Preparing ways to leave a situation that is too overwhelming, even simply sitting in the car for a short break, may help families feel more equipped.
Consistency
Recreating the child’s school routine as much as possible. Having meals and ‘breaks’ at similar times, and doing more academic tasks when the child would normally expect to do them.
Explore coping strategies
You may find it useful to spend time exploring strategies that help your child manage the symptoms of their anxiety, such as mindful colouring, rectangular breathing and alphabet games.
Apps such as Calm, Clear Fear and Combined Minds can all provide mental health support for individuals while What’s Up can help you and your child maintain positive habits that reinforce mental wellbeing. The Happify app offers different games, activities, gratitude prompts and more that some children may find enjoyable.
Plan sensory regulating activities
Bringing sensory aids such as fidget toys, vibrating items, weighted toys, or visual toys to leisure activities can help reduce anxiety or provide sensory input.
Parents can also get creative with sensory input, both in the community and at home. A simple skipping rope provides a walk-along activity, while buckets can be used to create stepping stones and a tunnel can provide sensory feedback while crawling. If the weather is poor (as is often the case in the UK!), building a fort together inside can be a good wet weather activity. No equipment is needed for wall pushes, which give immediate proprioceptive sensory input, making them a great indoor and outdoor activity.
Some other ideas of sensory activities that can be done at home include:
40 Sensory Play Activities at Home - Stepping Stone (SA) Childcare and Early Development Centres
Find your nearest SEND-friendly organisation- check out the HIT Squad directory!
It may be tempting to stay close to home but trips out can help our children develop important skills for adulthood. A growing number of organisations such as sports providers, cinemas, museums, farms and zoos offer SEND-friendly activities, but even a visit to the park can be beneficial too.
Using our directory may help parents feel assured that there has been deliberate thinking into how to make the activity more accessible and enjoyable for their child/ren.
Use the resources available
There are many free activities for children in Hackney. Remember to sign up to Short Breaks to parents if you are eligible (have a child between 5-17 and receive mid-high rate DLA). This can reduce provide leisure opportunities for the children, reduce the financial burden felt by parents, and provide opportunities for respite.
If you are open to Short Breaks and have experienced barriers with accessing leisure settings, you can request 1:1 work with our Multi-disciplinary Team to support you. This can include a making a bespoke leisure passport that you can bring to new environments or provide staff ahead of time so they can anticipate and prepare for your child appropriately. You can request a referral through any professional that works at Hackney Ark or your GP. We will also accept referrals from leisure providers should there be sufficient information. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Be kind!
The children may also enjoy the downtime and reduced pressures schools can provide, so may want to ‘chill out’ alongside the parents. Build opportunities for rest and relaxation as well as fun and movement.
Want to know more about HIT Squad and how we can support you and your families?
Email us on huh-tr.hitsquad@nhs.net