A COVID Summer + ADHD
Summer will most certainly look different than years past, but kids with ADHD can still exercise their creativity, curiosity, energy, and/or hyperfocus with some of these ideas - including writing (messages count), screen time (the interactive kind), life skills (aka chores), and more.
At this time of year we often hear of ways to prevent summer slide . This year though, that might be on our minds, but with very few summer camps and structured activities in our future, the summer can look like a vast quantity of time to fill with energetic kiddos who have been cooped up and without friends for the past three months.
One of the things I’ve been asked to help families with, is to guide them in navigating and planning this ocean of time called summer :). To that end, I have put together a list of some ideas to keep kids engaged and learning. Here are a few ideas that might even give you a couple of hours to rub together to work, exercise, or even fold towels in a quiet moment.
The Great Outdoors
Do whatever it takes to get the kids outside, keep the kids outside, and let them move. This will keep them occupied, out of the house for a while, and it is also likely to exhaust them. If your children aren’t used to outside time, you may have to model curiosity and activity so they can get used to ‘what to do’. And, this is a great time to establish the rules and boundaries (you can do this in a fun and playful way).
Pools (even small ones), trampolines, sprinklers, and good ole shovels are all great tools to meet those sensory needs and time outside:
Allow your kids to dig a pit and pour water into for a mud put for toys.
Plant a garden with your family and during outside time encourage your children to water and weed it.
Set out slip ‘n slides, sprinklers, water guns, and a hose (Set it up with the kids so they can rinse and repeat it on their own next time)
Backyard fun
It might not work to do the 1980’s parenting technique of: “Go outside and we will see you at dinnertime.” But, if you take a bit of time up front to show your kiddos ideas for fun outside, you will gain the bonus of growing independence + time (and energy spent) out of the house.
Embrace Screen TIME - the interactive kind
During our ‘stay at homeschool’ time, museums, zoos, and aquariums got super creative and offered a lot of live streaming content for kids. These interactive programs allow children to not only watch, but to participate virtually with staff and/or other children. A few great choices are: The National Zoo, Georgia Aquarium, and Historic Jamestown Settlement. These opportunities and more can be found in this article from USA Today, or for those of you who enjoy a schedule, this one: 1000 Things to do During COVID-19 is organized by date and time.
Another form of interactive screen time can involve playing online games with a friends and relatives. There are a variety of games that children can play online- from Monopoly with grandpa to Tetris with a great aunt - all involved will have the opportunity to socialize across the miles while learning strategy - all while being occupied for quite some time. This list of best interactive online games gives you and your children opportunities to connect during this summer of more isolation.
writing doesn’t have to be on paper
Writing a journal has never been something my kids have been done when asked to. My experience is that kids will find a journal in begin writing if they have a natural propensity toward writing. Otherwise, it’s just another task. Authentic writing is the kind that serves an real purpose (and is likely to embraced without a lot of struggle). For instance, Facebook messenger Kids is one way that kids are connecting with other kiddos and with willing relatives.
Online gaming with friends and family
is a healthier way to use technology way and great way for building relationships and other skills.
chores = important life skills
All of those things that we do around the house - cooking, folding, list making, watering plants, dishes - are skills that your children need to learn. This is important for all kids, but kids with ADHD especially need intentional guidance and assistance with these executive ‘adult’ skills. Things like shopping, balancing a checkbook, ore making lists are tasks that don’t come easy to most adults with ADHD. Helping kids learn these skills while you are doing them anyway is an excellent way to help them learn some things and keep them busy.
sanity trumps all
Surprise! Homeschool has now become summer schooling. Fun can be had, but it is also important not to overwhelm ourselves with a Pinterest sort of world (unless that is your thing and it doesn’t stress you out). We can create opportunities for our kids that are simple and fun - and perhaps a little bit messy. But, remember no one is coming over anyway :)
What have you got planned? Share in the comments…