June Newsletter

Jun 16
5 min read

Why Continuing Therapy During Summer Helps Children Thrive

As summer approaches, many families look forward to vacations, pool days, camps, and a more relaxed schedule. While summer brings wonderful opportunities for family fun and making memories, it can also bring changes in routine that affect a child's progress. For children receiving early intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other developmental support services, maintaining consistency over the summer can play an important role in continued growth.

Early intervention is designed to support children during critical periods of development when the brain is rapidly learning and forming new connections. Research shows that young children benefit from learning opportunities embedded in everyday routines and activities, helping them build communication, social, cognitive, physical, and emotional skills.

Why Continuing Therapy During Summer Matters

1. Prevents Skill Regression

Children work hard throughout the year to gain new skills. Long gaps in therapy may lead to difficulty maintaining progress already achieved. Continued support helps children keep practicing important communication, motor, and social skills.

2. Keeps Routines and Structure in Place

Children often thrive with predictable routines. Summer schedules can naturally become more flexible, but therapy provides meaningful structure while continuing learning through play and daily experiences.

3. Supports School Readiness

Whether your child is entering preschool, kindergarten, or transitioning into a new school year, summer is an ideal time to strengthen important skills such as:

• Following directions

• Communication and vocabulary

• Fine motor skills

• Attention and focus

• Social interactions

• Emotional regulation

4. Learning Happens Everywhere

Summer activities create natural opportunities for growth. Trips to the park, beach days, grocery shopping, cooking together, and reading books all become opportunities to practice skills in real-life settings.

Did you know that research shows many children experience what's commonly known as the "summer slide"? Studies suggest that students can lose some of the academic progress they made during the school year—particularly in reading and math—if these skills aren't practiced over the summer. However, summer is also a wonderful opportunity to build skills that are just as important for lifelong success. Parents can encourage independence by involving children in everyday life skills like making their bed, helping prepare meals, doing simple chores, managing an allowance, or practicing problem-solving. Equally important is strengthening social and emotional skills through quality family time. Playing board games, reading together, eating meals as a family, volunteering, and having meaningful conversations help children develop communication, emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience. By balancing a little academic practice with real-world experiences and intentional family connection, parents can help their children return to school feeling confident, capable, and emotionally prepared for a successful year ahead.

Children can build meaningful life skills over the summer through simple, hands-on activities at home and in the community.

Summer is the perfect time to help children build confidence and independence through everyday experiences. Try working on one new skill each week!

Wrap a Present – Learn patience, fine motor skills, and the joy of giving.
Become a Pen Pal – Write letters or postcards to a friend or family member to practice handwriting and communication.
Cook a Simple Meal – Make sandwiches, scrambled eggs, fruit salad, or homemade pizza while learning kitchen safety and following directions.
Grow a Garden – Plant flowers, herbs, or vegetables to teach responsibility, patience, and caring for living things.
Learn Basic Money Skills – Count change, make a small budget, or help compare prices while shopping.
Complete Household Chores – Fold laundry, set the table, vacuum, or organize a bedroom to build responsibility and teamwork.
Read Aloud to Someone – Read to a sibling, grandparent, or even a pet to improve reading fluency and confidence.
Write Thank-You Notes – Practice gratitude by writing notes to teachers, neighbors, family members, or friends.
Plan a Family Activity – Let your child help organize a picnic, game night, or nature walk to strengthen planning and decision-making skills.
Learn an Emergency Skill – Memorize important phone numbers, practice dialing 911 (when appropriate), learn your home address, or understand basic first aid and safety rules.

These simple activities help children develop independence, responsibility, communication, problem-solving, and confidence skills that will benefit them both in school and throughout life.

5 Books for Summer School Readiness (Younger Children)

These books help build language, listening skills, social understanding, routines, and confidence for school:

David Goes to School by David Shannon: Introduces classroom expectations in a fun way.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn: Helps children with separation anxiety and beginning school transitions.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten: Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate: Builds excitement and familiarity with classroom routines.
How Do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen: Uses humor to teach school behaviors and expectations.
First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg: Encourages discussion about school worries and feelings.

5 Chapter Books for Middle Schoolers to Support School Readiness: Middle school readiness also involves building confidence, empathy, problem-solving, and resilience:

Wonder by R. J. Palacio: Promotes kindness, empathy, and social awareness.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt: Encourages perseverance and confidence in learning differences.
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper: Builds understanding of inclusion and communication differences.
Restart by Gordon Korman: Explores social choices and self-awareness.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate: Encourages empathy and perspective-taking.

Summer Tips for Families

• Read together for 15–20 minutes daily

• Keep bedtime and morning routines somewhat consistent

• Encourage outdoor play and movement

• Practice everyday life skills such as dressing, helping with meals, and following directions

• Continue therapy services and home activities when possible

Summer should absolutely include fun and relaxation but it can also be a season of growth. Small moments add up, and continuing support during the summer can help children feel confident and prepared for the school year ahead. At SEIT, we believe every season creates opportunities for learning and development.

Growing Stronger Together This Summer

As summer begins, our routines often shift. School is out, vacations are planned, and families spend more time together. While this season brings opportunities for fun and connection, it can also create new stressors. At Simmons Early Intervention Therapy, we're here to help individuals, couples, children, and families navigate these transitions with confidence and support.

Summer Is the Perfect Time to Reconnect

Busy schedules throughout the school year often leave little room for intentional family time. Summer offers a chance to slow down and strengthen your relationships.

Try these simple connection ideas:

* Eat dinner together without phones or television.

* Schedule one-on-one time with each child each week.

* Plan a weekly family activity such as a walk, board game, or picnic.

* Ask everyone to share one "high" and one "low" from their day.

Small moments of intentional connection can have a lasting impact.

Relationship Tip of the Month

-Practice Active Listening: When disagreements arise, many of us begin thinking about our response before the other person has finished speaking.

Instead, try this approach:

* Listen without interrupting.

* Repeat back what you heard.

* Validate their feelings before offering your perspective.