UAB’s Dayna Watson, Ph.D., recommends 4 ways to assist keep children’s mental health in great condition once the ultimate school bell rings.

Summer is an incredible time for activities and trips that might not be taken in the course of the school yr, but time for rest also must be scheduled in. Watson recommends resisting the temptation of overcommitting.Summer will be crammed with fun and quality time, but it may even be a time of worry and frustration for fogeys and caretakers. Dayna Watson, Ph.D., assistant professor within the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education, recommends ways to assist keep children’s mental health in check this summer.

Keep a routine

In the course of the school yr, most families maintain a routine throughout the week. The transition out of faculty and into summer will be triggering for some kids. While a strict structure or schedule will not be needed for all families, Watson recommends easing the shift by making slower changes to the routine once school lets out.  

“A predictable rhythm and routine may also help reduce stress and anxiety for youths,” she said. “Consider keeping a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, making regular meals a priority, and instituting some day by day activities or chores.”

Watson says having a visual family calendar prepares children for transitions, and oldsters should discuss upcoming changes.

Have down time

Summer is an incredible time for activities and trips that might not be taken in the course of the school yr, but time for rest also must be scheduled in. Watson recommends resisting the temptation of overcommitting.

“Our physical and mental health are closely linked — it is almost unattainable to have good mental health once we usually are not caring for our bodies,” she said. “It’s tempting to attempt to squeeze in as much fun as possible, but not having sufficient down time may cause parents and youngsters to find yourself exhausted and overstimulated.”

Dayna Watson, Ph.D.Maintain interaction with other children

Depending on a family’s plans for summer, kids could find yourself feeling isolated or lonely.  Consider healthy, protected ways for youths to interact with peers. This might include:

• phone or video calls
• in-person gatherings
• camps and social events
• video games
• other varieties of social media technologies 

“In case your kids are going to be on social media or other electronic communication platforms, make sure to have safeguards in place to be sure that they’re only capable of access appropriate content, and have regular talks about cyberbullying,” Watson said.

Keep an open line of communication

In the course of the summer, children could also be spending more time with parents or relations and that will be an incredible time to take a position in or concentrate on mental health.

“Connection and communication are the 2 best ways for fogeys and caregivers to take a position of their kids’ mental health,” Watson said. “Be open in discussing your emotions together with your kids (in a developmentally appropriate way), speak about how the family can handle their bodies and minds, and spend time connecting and having positive interactions.”

For older kids and adolescents, ask direct questions on their mental health. 

“Avoid trying to present advice or solutions; reasonably take heed to what they should say and validate their experiences.”

If a toddler expresses any concerning emotions or appears to be struggling, Watson says to succeed in out for skilled help. 

For details about inexpensive counseling for kids through UAB’s play therapy room, call 205-996-2414.