Summer slide is the potential academic loss that occurs over the summer months. In addition to the academic slide, there is a potential emotional slide that also occurs when students are separated from their peers. How do we help children from suffering from both academic loss and emotional loss during the lazy, hazy days of summer? We often hear from our clients, “my child is just sitting around all day not doing anything”, or “how can I get my child off their phone/electronics?” Students need to have a mental health break that will strengthen their confidence and self-esteem.
Here are some fun tips on how to keep your child’s mind emotionally actively engaged over the next few months:
- Ask your child what they would like to learn about over the summer (Creativity planning*)
- Ask your child what they would like to do over the summer (More Creativity planning*) – Help with suggestions: Reading a book, Riding a bike, playing cards, photography
- Explore museums, parks and the outdoors with your child… see the experience through their eyes
- Close your eyes and allow your mind to wander – see where it takes you
Creativity Planning
Creativity planning helps your child to be curious and to learn how to do things independently. As with the suggestions above, lists can be helpful when your child is suffering from boredom and needs to find something to do on their own.
Boredom can be very healthy!
Boredom helps children to learn how to calm themselves down. In other words, when we allow our minds to daydream we stop thinking about the outside world and begin to think about the things that matter most to us. “Daydreaming is shifting attention from the external situation or problem to the internal representation of situations, memories, pictures, unresolved things, scenarios or future goals” (Mann, & Cadman, 2014, Ducharme, 2019). Spend some time daydreaming with your child this summer!
By Jill Caruso, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist
Resources:
Ducharme, J (2019), “Being bored can be good for you – if you do it right. Here’s how” retrieved on 5/20/19 from http://time.com/5480002/benefits-of-boredom/
Mann, S. & Cadman, R. Does being bored make us more creative? Creativity Research Journal, 26 (2), 165-173.
If you or anyone you know is having signs or symptoms of summer slide or depression or anxiety over the summer, please contact Specialized Therapy Associates, (201)488-6678.
Dr. Caruso is an Assistant Director with Specialized Therapy Associates (STA), in Paramus, N.J. She began working at STA with over 10 years of experience in practicing psychology, specializing in working with children, adolescents, and young adults. Her specialization has focused on treating a wide variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, and other life stressors.
Before coming to STA, Dr. Caruso worked as a School psychologist focusing on the learning styles of students with special needs. She also specialized in coping mechanisms for anxiety and depression experienced in the school system by students, teachers, and staff. Some of her research has focused on the impact that mindfulness had on parents of children with special needs. Other research she has focused on looking at the impact that electronics/media have on individuals, both mentally and physically. She thoroughly enjoys this work and is now working on specializing in the care of individuals within the LGBTQ community as well as identification of how individuals learn and their current behaviors.
Dr. Caruso practices person-centered psychotherapy and utilizes positive psychology, empowerment, and relational approaches to therapy, as well as Cognitive Behavioral approaches. She values diversity in all forms, including race, ethnicity, sexual identity and gender expression, and sexuality. She looks at each person as a unique individual considering all factors that contribute to the issue at hand and views therapy as a partnership with her client. She focuses on creating a safe and welcoming environment where clients feel as comfortable as possible.
She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology at William Paterson University and her Master’s in Psychology and School Psychology Certification from Montclair State University. She received her doctorate in psychology from St. Elizabeth University with a focus on Social Justice. She also is currently an adjunct professor at the St. Elizabeth University working in the Master’s programs focused on Theory development, Psychopathology and Diagnosis, Child Development, and Introduction to counseling. She also works with the undergraduate program on incorporating Mindfulness, and Positive Psychology to achieve a work/life balance.
Dr. Caruso has provided numerous training and workshops to professionals on a variety of issues. During the pandemic, Dr. Caruso has worked on completing evaluations virtually to help identify issues with executive functioning, ADHD, and identification of dementia with her patients.
