Summer is here, and we are so excited! After the difficult past year with COVID-19, adjusting and readjusting to virtual school and therapy, and closely following CDC guidelines and mandates, we are excited that things are slowly getting back to normal in time for summer. 

We understand and respect that everyone’s comfort level with COVID-19 precautions are different, so we have compiled a list of fun summer activities you can do while working on your child’s Speech, Language, and Occupational Therapy goals with a variety of settings in mind. 

The Park

The park is a great place to take your little ones to get out of the house, break up their routine, or just to get all of their extra energy out! It’s also a great place to work on gross motor skills, following directions, and building vocabulary.

Help your little one build their stamina and skills in gross motor skills such as running, jumping, hopping, and climbing. Oftentimes, these activities are skills they are already working on just by playing on playground equipment, with no extra direction from you.

The playground is a great place to discover new ways to work on language skills! Play Simon Says with your child, asking them to run, jump, spin, clap, etc. They think they are spending some time playing a fun game, all while they are really working on building their vocabulary and their ability to follow directions.

The park also allows us to model appropriate social skills, by encouraging your child to ask another child on the playground to play with them, or asking if they want to share a toy (depending on your comfort level interacting with those outside your household).

The Beach or Pool

Although here in sunny Florida these aren’t quite seasonal-specific activities, they sure are a great way to beat that Florida heat! Regardless of if you chose to visit your neighborhood pool, or take a day trip out to the beach, the water is a great setting for building on those language and sensory skills.

Building a sandcastle is a beach staple — but did you know that this activity is full of language opportunities? Take the time to describe everything to your child, you are giving them a whole new setting and experience in how to use a variety of nouns, verbs, and adjectives, all about the beach. This activity also allows your child to explore with new textures and gain some valuable sensory input.

The beach or pool is a great way to introduce new adjectives into your child’s vocabulary. Is the water hot or cold? Does the sand feel rough or smooth? When you jumped in, was the splash big or small? 

Fun At Home

There are SO many easy, fun, and free activities to do at home over the summer. Have a scavenger hunt through your home or backyard to improve your child’s ability to follow directions and work independently, work on those crucial literacy skills by reading together with your child, or even build fine motor skills by coloring or building with Legos. 

Practice makes perfect, and just 10-15 minutes a day of practicing some of these skills can make a huge difference in your child’s progress. For our younger clients, something as simple as narrating what you do as you make dinner can make a huge impact on their language acquisition. Some of our older clients may need a more structured activity, but if you need ideas, don’t be afraid to ask your child’s therapist. We love finding fun ways to incorporate goals into your daily routines.

We hope that everyone has an exciting, relaxing, and fun-filled summer! Stay safe and enjoy this special time with your family. Before we know it, school will be starting back up again. 

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s summer therapy schedule, or would like them to be seen in office or virtually over summer, reach out to your child’s therapist, or give our office a call at (407) 703-2711.