Low Stakes Ways for Kids to Practice Emotional Regulation Before Going Back to School

Endless summer. Whoever came up with that phrase must not have had kids in grade school. One minute you’re signing your little one up for day camp, the next you’re at Target for some last-minute back-to-school shopping. On the other hand, after cleaning up yet another summer-activity-related mess, you might be muttering to yourself, when do they go back to school again? Amidst all the summer hustle and bustle (and hopefully a few quiet moments for Mom), it may be easy for you and your child to forget that they’ll be back behind a school desk before you know it. That’s probably for the best. School means learning and friends and 6-7 hours a day when parents don’t have to worry about where their kids are, but it also means that kids have to tamp down some of the more colorful and loud aspects of their personalities, the things that really make them unique. For kids who struggle with emotional self-regulation, school can be especially challenging. They may have a hard time sitting still and staying focused, or not losing their cool when they can’t quite grasp new material, or dealing with conflicts with classmates. Luckily, summer break offers plenty of opportunities for kids to hone their self-regulation skills. Here are a few ways you can help your child do just that before sending them back to school:  Pay attention during playtime. Have you ever found yourself mesmerized while watching your child interact with their peers? It’s like seeing them in a completely...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Children and Teens Parenting Students attention Autism Spectrum Disorder Back To School Child Development Emotion Regulation sensory processing disorder Summer Vacation Source Type: blogs