Parents & ADHD Kids: Keeping Summer Fun

Joys of Summer Freedom from Routine Sleep late, stay up late, no rush to get dress Unstructured Time Hang out with friends, wander the neighborhood, Less Supervision Fly under parent radar, adults not directing how activities have to be played, more time home alone,

Potential Disaster for ADHD Kids

Topics To Be Discussed Ideas for Keeping Structure in the Day Ways to Prevent the Academic “Summer Slide” Medication Break………. or Not Parent Responses that Promote Positive Behaviors

1. Structure All children do better when they know what to expect AND what is expected of them. This is especially important for children with ADHD Some Key Reminders: Be Consistent Be Flexible Keep it Interesting

Information to Post 1.A Weekly Schedule Planned activities Blocks marked out for “free time” Activity Ideas - check flyer from Rec. Dept, YMCA, for camps or one day activities, free programs in local parks, Public Library – has kids activities, Check newspaper for free community activities, Start a weekly activity that neighborhood kids can join in on -

2. Daily Schedule Morning routine – out of bed, breakfast, dressed Chores Reading time School Refresher TV/Computer Friends Free Time Meals Bedtime routine

3. House Rules Set up clear, consistent expectations. Talk with your children about the house rules Together come up with consequences for behaviors Reward good behaviors Provide appropriate consequences for negative behaviors Family Rules

2. Summer Academics Most important areas to keep kids engaged Math Reading

Summer Plan 1. Add to the daily schedule 2.Create incentives as they complete work or hit goals Do not need to involve spending $ Kids love parent time & attention one on one activity – paint nails, special outing, relieved from a chore – no dishes for 3 days goofy things – sit in dad’s dinner chair for a week Visual chart to track 3.Materials Online websites Workbooks – Bridge Summer Activities Library 4. Talk with teacher for suggestions that are tailored to your child’s needs

FREE summer reading incentive programs. Pizza Hut's Book It program has a summer component called Summer Break with Book It! It's for kids grades K-6, and features a minute tracker app, book recommendations, recipes for readers, printables, games, and activity calendars.Summer Break with Book It! The Scholastic Summer Challenge encourages kids to log the minutes they spend reading and map their accomplishments. Kids can participate in weekly challenges, earn digital rewards, and enter to win prizes.Scholastic Summer Challenge The iVillage Summer Reading Community Challenge begins on June 17th: Sign up for four weeks of daily s filled with literacy-building tips from the experts at Sprout, games and activities to help foster a love of reading, and more.iVillage Summer Reading Community Challenge With the Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination challenge, your child can earn a free book after reading eight books and keeping track of them in a reading log.Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination Don’t forget to check into local library for summer programs With kids in neighborhood, create a book club where kids read same book and talk about it OR read different books and share story and what they liked. Summer Reading Programs

Online Math Programs Fun interactive web pages.

3. Break from Medication? Best discussed with prescribing doctor Factors to Consider What symptoms are they taking meds for ability to pay attention hyperactivity with behavioral & social challenges Are the side effects significant lack of weight gain sleep problems afternoon rebound effect Options: good time to try new med reduce dosage What activities are they involved in during break

4. Parent Responses that Promote Positive Behavior

Ignore Minor Misbehaviors Turn on the radio Do something else Go to your room Go for a walk Buy earplugs Ignoring takes patience!

Understanding Consequences A positive consequence (reward) helps a child learn what to do: stickers, points, money, positive comments, hugs A negative consequence (punishment) helps a child learn what not to do stops negative behaviors, may result in worse behaviors unless new skills are taught

Provide Feedback on Behaviors Focus on strengths Be specific Say what you like Say what you do not like

FINAL 3 TIPS for a Successful Summer Structure is your Friend Use Positives First Build Fun into your Day