3 Ways to Help Children and Teens Maintain Academic Progress During Summer Break

Family on beach reading during summer vacation“School’s over. YAY! I have no homework today!” Do these words sound familiar? Most children and teens with ADHD (and without it) are thrilled to have a break from academics and enjoy their summer–their free time. Yet, children with learning challenges can lose some of the important gains they made over the school year if they procrastinate and don’t continue use those skills. In order to ensure a smooth transition into the next school year, help your child with ADHD maintain academic progress during their summer vacation by practicing skills they’ve developed up to now. Here are three ways you can encourage your child to maintain those gains without “ruining” their summer break with unwanted schoolwork.  

 

3 Ways Parents Can Encourage Ongoing Learning

1. Set reasonable goals

Set reasonable goals based on your knowledge of your child’s academic performance as well as their own perceptions. Start with a conversation about how practicing acquired skills in the summer will benefit them in the fall. Explain that maintaining academic progress differs from learning new skills and it’s the preservation that matters most during the summer. Let go of any notions of teaching your children or teens with ADHD this or that new academic skill. Instead, focus on what they have already mastered.  For elementary school students Review their report cards and any relevant work from the year to assist you in creating your goals. Find some books your child may want to read and some online resources or worksheets. As much as possible, set aside time for you and your child to do this work together. Find ways to make this a pleasant activity instead of a chore. For middle and high school students Writing down goals on paper with glasses on a tableChildren or teens with ADHD may already have summer homework so you can sit down and plan out their work strategy for completing it in a timely fashion and maintain those academic gains. If they don’t have homework from school, collaborate with your teen on setting goals for reading, standardized test prep or other relevant work. Stay organized by using a calendar and emphasize the importance of NOT leaving things until late August to avoid a crisis.

2. Find materials that meet them where they are

Since the goal is upholding and strengthening what your son or daughter has already grasped, find materials that meet them where they are. This means finding materials and resources that are age- and level-appropriate. You only want to reinforce their learning up to now, so resist the urge to get a head-start on next year’s curriculum. For elementary school students Elementary school kids may like selecting books in a series that they have already started. They may also like getting a math workbook or finding an online math or science program to review the subjects in a game format. Many libraries compile summer reading lists by age group and have summer reading challenges. Take advantage of these helpful local resources to motivate your child. For middle and high school students Middle and high school kids can always benefit from reading a compelling book. Offer to help your child find something that matches their interests. You could even read the book simultaneously and then casually talk about it with them while driving in the car together or doing the dishes. In general, reading ANYTHING is a great idea–whether it’s a mystery, graphic novel or Minecraft story. Magazines and audiobooks count too. Sometimes reading on an electronic device like a Kindle or Nook has added benefits such as keeping them focused on one small page at a time and using an electronic device.

3. Agree on daily minimums

mother with arm around daughter looking at tablet Talk with your child or teen with ADHD about the minimum amount of time each day or week to do this maintenance program. This does not mean debating its value; it means agreeing on working for at least 15 minutes a day or an hour a week or whatever you decide together. If you need to incentivize the activity, then link doing the work to something they want to do. For example, “Okay, we can play catch after you read for 20 minutes.” Or, “You can watch your show after you do this math game.” Or, “You can have the car when you can tell me what happened in the last chapter.” Remember to be as creative and positive as you can be in setting age-appropriate goals and incentives. These tasks don’t have to be painful and can be framed as important continuation of cognitive growth. You may need to get involved and help manage your child’s activities, so approach this as a bonding opportunity. Enjoy this special time of connecting with your family. Happy summer! Dr. Sharon Saline headshot

Follow me on social media: YouTubeFacebookTwitterInstagram.

Coaching/Counseling | Presentation/Workshops | Podcast Interviews | Subscribe to our newsletter


Read more blog posts:


Learn More with Dr. Saline’s Webinars:

Building Better Brains Webinar Series Logo

Attendee Feedback | Upcoming Webinars | Dr. Saline’s YouTube


Watch on Dr. Saline’s YouTube Channel:


Sign-up for my newsletter today and receive 10% off!

 

ADDitude Magazine: Expert Tips on How to Overcome Social Anxiety and Fear of Rejection for Adults

“Q: My Fear of Rejection Keeps Me Socially Isolated”

Woman standing in bubble- ADDitude Picture Social anxiety and rejection sensitive dysphoria cause people with ADHD to feel isolated, self-conscious, and stressed. Here are expert tips on how to improve social skills and alleviate your social anxiety.

Q: “I want to socialize more with my co-workers and neighbors, but my fear of rejection — thanks to my ADHD — keeps me from reaching out. I’m afraid I’ll say or do the wrong thing. How can I overcome this?” Learn more tips to treat social anxiety and rejection in Dr. Saline’s article on ADDitude.com:

 

Read the full article on ADDitude: “Q: My Fear of Rejection Keeps Me Socially Isolated”

https://www.additudemag.com/social-anxiety-treatment-rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd/ ADDitude Magazine logo


Read Dr. Saline’s blog posts:

Sign up for Dr. Sharon Saline's Newsletter

ADDitude Magazine: School Shootings, Mass Tragedies, Anxiety

How Do You Reassure Your Anxious Child When You’re Scared, Too?

Parent/Woman hugging little girl near trees

“As caregivers, we want to show up fully for our children in these troubled times. It’s natural to want to protect them, even as we struggle to comfort ourselves. Our kids have this amazing antenna that can pick up on and absorb our stress. They notice when we’re feeling worried or a little bit off balance. And at this time when so many of us are feeling powerless and helpless by school shootings and gun violence, our kids are detecting and intensifying those emotions.” Learn more tips for child and adult anxiety in Dr. Saline’s article on ADDitude.com:

Read the full article on ADDitude: “How Do You Reassure Your Anxious Child When You’re Scared, Too?”

ADDitude Magazine logo


Read Dr. Saline’s blog posts:

Sign up for Dr. Sharon Saline's Newsletter

ADHD Parenting: 4 Ways Adults Can Lighten the Mood with Kids During Difficult Moments

ADHD Parent working from home with kids and dogMaintaining a sense of humor when raising ADHD and non-ADHD kids alike is an essential tool for any parent. Children can expand your heart and push your buttons like no one else. But being able to laugh at what happens, at your reactions and sometimes at life itself helps ease the journey. Now we all know that everybody does things they’re proud of as a parent and things that they wish they hadn’t. Having compassion for yourself when you stumble enables you to giggle at your foibles without bombarding yourself with shame. Because self-blame or criticism of others often intensifies small incidents into full-blown explosions. Although, maintaining a sense of humor in challenging situations reduces the chances of meltdowns and helps you recover from setbacks more easily. Learn four new ways to manage parenting stress with humor and (re)connect with your child below. 

4 ways to manage stress and (re)connect with your child

1. Laugh at yourself when you ‘trip up’

As the parent, you need to set a good example for your kids by using a tone that brings humor, boundaries and self-expression to difficult situations. Raising ADHD kids comes with a unique set of challenges, but managing your emotions and expectations helps keep you calm while keeping life’s ups and downs in perspective. In addition, knowing how to laugh at yourself when you trip up really takes the edge off many challenging situations. Sometimes we get so caught up in the seriousness of parenting, we forget the important role humor plays in handling our own stress and creating a calm and pleasant atmosphere for the whole family.

2. Use levity to diffuse tension and gain self-control

Asian family having fun in stressful situationWhen you inject levity into challenging situations, you shift the conversation away from annoyance and aggravation. This requires some self-control and creativity but the rewards are plentiful. When you look at yourself and your reactions differently, you’ll take the first step toward diffusing tension. You’re not only modeling this for your ADHD child as an effective coping tool, you’ll feel better and they will too. For example, when kids speak to you in a disrespectful tone, you have a choice. You can angrily tell them “You’re not allowed to speak to me that way. Go to your room.” Or, you can say: “Fresh is for vegetables, not speaking to me like that.” The first option throws fuel on the fire; the second one, dampens the flames.  If your teenage son gets into your car, plugs in his phone and listens to music that he knows you hate, you could tell him that he’s being selfish and entitled and unplug his phone. Or, you could learn some of the lyrics to his favorite songs and sing along. That will certainly change the dynamic in the car and likely make you both smile. By proactively doing this you’re able to manage your own reaction with humor and not responding negatively. 

3. Use humor as a way to (re)connect with your child

Sandwich with a smiling face to add humorOne of the toughest predicaments for any ADHD parent is the loss of connection with their child. Sometimes this is a natural extension of your teen’s growing independence. Other times bonds break as the result of divorce or other demands which decrease a parent’s presence in their child’s life. Whether you and your ADHD child are drifting apart or are just finding it difficult to bond in the current phase of your relationship, humor is a wonderful tool with which to reconnect.  Humor can help you form a strong bonder with your child, diffuse tension, overcome problems and setbacks, put things into perspective, loosen you up, and energize your thinking. Using laughter will help you resolve disagreements and strengthen your relationships.

4. Lighten the mood

African-American parents with child talking to lighten the moodIf you were to recall a happy memory from your own life, chances are it involved shared laughter about a funny incident or inside joke. As with your other relationships, look for opportunities to infuse humor into your relationship with your ADHD child. Watch  funny YouTube videos, tell corny Dad jokes or make up goofy song lyrics – it all lightens the mood and gets you to share good times together. Get your creative juices flowing and seek out any activity in which you and your child share an interest. If you can make it a regular occurrence, all the better. If your child doesn’t seem interested at first, shrug it off and enjoy the activity on your own. When your child sees you roaring with laughter watching TikTok videos  or practicing new dance moves, they’ll likely get curious enough to see what you’re up to. Keep it going and chances are your connection with your child will grow with time. Humor is an integral component of emotional well-being and social engagement.  It lifts our spirits and offers a point of connection with others. In addition, humor eases tense situations and relieves stress of all kinds. Of course there are difficult problems and situations where humor is not an appropriate response. But for day-to-day ADHD parenting challenges, maintaining a sense of humor can go a long way and bring joy, calm and connection. Dr. Sharon Saline headshot

Follow me on social media: YouTubeFacebookTwitterInstagram.

Coaching/Counseling | Presentation/Workshops | Podcast Interviews | Subscribe to our newsletter


Read more blog posts:


Learn More with Dr. Saline’s Webinars:

Building Better Brains Webinar Series Logo

Attendee Feedback | Upcoming Webinars | Dr. Saline’s YouTube  


Watch on Dr. Saline’s YouTube Channel:


Sign-up today and receive 10% off!

YourTango: 7 Tools For Managing Childhood Anxiety

“Most kids and adults just want their anxiety to go away NOW. As parents, we try to anticipate and cope with the fear of our child or teen by trying to protect them from the pain. I don’t know about you, but this rarely worked in my family because the worries just came back. Anxiety — the physiological response to powerful worries — needs to be addressed head on. We have to teach our kids tools to cope with their worries so they feel empowered and confident enough to take risks and meet unforeseen challenges.” Learn more tips for childhood anxiety in Dr. Saline’s article on YourTango:

Read the full article on YourTango: “7 Tools For Managing Childhood Anxiety”


Read Dr. Saline’s blog posts:

 

CHADD ADHD Newsstand: Help Your Child Better Cope with Social Anxiety

“Social anxiety is a fear that people will scrutinize you in familiar or unfamiliar social situations and that this negative judgment will have harmful effects on you,” says Sharon Saline, PsyD, author of What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life. Children and teens with social anxiety disorder tend to focus on what they believe other people are thinking about them, something that is outside of reality, says Dr. Saline. A child may be afraid of being judged if they speak out in class, and the fear may be so overwhelming that they say nothing. This can loop to feeling even more anxiety because they worry about also being judged for not saying anything.”

Read the full article featuring Dr. Saline on CHADD.org: Help Your Child Better Cope with Social Anxiety