School is great for providing children with structure but this is not always the case when they are at home for the summer holidays.
Children with ADHD need a routine during this time for their mental, emotional and behavioral wellbeing. Creating and maintaining a routine will reduce your child’s anxiety over the unknown, makes it easier for them to transition back to school and encourages them to develop healthy habits for long-term growth.
Remember, developing a summer routine doesn’t have to be difficult or rigid. If anything, there should be a flow to it that is adaptable depending on the circumstances.
You can create a routine for your child with ADHD in the following ways:
Actionable Steps:
#1. Discuss the Activities
Give your children some agency over your schedule if it’s possible.
Let them know what activities are fixed and can’t be changed, for example, swimming lessons or visiting grandparents.
Then ask them what they want to do and see how you can fit it into your day.
#2. Create the Schedule
Once you’ve talked to your child, create your schedule together using simple words, symbols or pictures.
Avoid writing down the time for each activity to allow for some flexibility. It will reduce arguments between you and your child and will teach them to adapt to the day.
If you want a visual schedule that’s already made for you, CLICK HERE or on the following image.
#3. Include the Fun
It can be incredibly tedious and overwhelming if your schedule is packed with activities. Instead, alternate a structured activity with a sensory break, creative play, or free time to give children some time to rest.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The importance of creating a routine for a child with ADHD at home.
- Three simple ways to keep a child with ADHD on a routine without school structure: discuss the activities, create the schedule, and include the fun.
Free Resources:
For a taste of the resources that were mentioned in step two, check out the following resource in my FREE Education Resource Library.
Teach your little ones how to make good choices with the following FREE Resource:
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
