During the summer holidays we often get parents asking for home exercise programs, psychoeducational programs or advice on activities that could be done with their children during the holidays.
If we think of the child’s mind, emotions and physical body as a garden what can we do to cultivate a child’s overall wellbeing?
Schedule family time: Start seeing the fruits within your child grow.
- Uninterrupted time with your child without electronics / devices.
- Make play with your child a part of your everyday routine.
- Daily playdates with your child.
- Whether it’s 10 minutes or an hour this is the most priceless “time / thing / activity” you could do with your child.
- Reading a book together and discussing ideas after.
- Playing a board game together.
- Doing exercise together: walks / swimming / cycling.
- Just “be” together e.g. lying on the grass outside looking at the sky / building a tent / forte and lying inside together. You will be surprised what your child will initiate or start to talk about if they are provided with that “pause” / “safe space”.
- Have meals together at the table as a family as often as possible.
- Start small with one dinner a week.
- One thing that could be incorporated into mealtime is a gratitude game: what is one thing I enjoyed / had fun with today and I am so happy I was able to do this.
- Communal mealtime will build a multitude of positive emotional and practical character traits in your child.
- View your child’s behaviour as: the “fruit” being the outbursts that you see. The child’s needs and feelings are at the “root” (cause of the behaviour).
- Do your best to be a co-regulator for your child when they experience big feelings.
- We need to practice “being with them” in their emotions.
- Sometimes a child’s nervous system just needs:
- A hug / cuddle
- A bath
- A good snack
- A nap
- A pause
- Some music
- Their favourite toy
- A moment alone
- Being outside
- Sincerely affirm your child for who they are and not what they do
- I believe in you. I love you just the way you are! I had so much fun with you today! I am already proud of you! You matter to me!
Let’s take time this summer holiday to pause and “be” with our child! Remember you are your child’s favourite toy!