Knowing how to self-regulate can be difficult at any age. Picture yourself in rush hour traffic, for example, or in the midst of an argument. We’ve all been faced with challenges that have pushed our boundaries and influenced our behavior. It takes years of growth, empathy, and patience to learn how to manage emotions and responses in high-stress situations. But for children with learning differences, building self-regulating skills isn’t always an intuitive part of getting older.

When your child is in school, you have peace of mind that they’re learning and growing in a structured environment that gets them outside and gives them an opportunity to socialize. Summer vacation, on the other hand, is a well-deserved break from that routine. But as you suddenly go from a set schedule to all that free time, it can be a bit overwhelming for parents and children alike.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the way today’s children express themselves, socialize, and learn. Quarantining, social distancing, and isolation have kept us safe but we’re still not sure what long-term effects these will have on this generation’s youth. Students had to do school virtually from home, cutting off all face-to-face interactions. Children weren't able to see their friends or family for months while stuck inside. Screens were their only form of communication with the outside world.

For parents of children with learning differences, the disruption in routine from school to summer break can feel sudden and overwhelming. And think of how the kids feel! Whether it was a virtual or in-person classroom, they’re suddenly going from set schedules alongside peers to all that free time with limited structure.

As adults, whose workload usually holds steady year round, we don’t have as high expectations for the summer as our children might. While our routines remain consistent, summer break is a chance for the kids to sleep in, play more, and relax.

It’s understandable that kids want (and need!) time to relax during their time off from school. But procrastinating summer reading assignments (or worse - not reading over the summer at all!) can really set them back when they start back up in September.

Nowadays, online learning is an intermittent but integral part of modern curriculums. With more families opting for online classes and some schools instituting hybrid learning environments, it’s harder than ever to regulate your child’s screen time. That said, teaching children how to manage screen time is no easy feat, considering the circumstances of the present day.

Social-emotional learning trainer Caroline Maguire will be hosting the third segment of Eagle Hill’s virtual Speaker Series on April 7, 2021 at 7 p.m. Maguire is a specialist of social emotional learning (SEL) and author of the groundbreaking guide, Why Will No One Play with Me? Not only was the book awarded a place on BookAuthority’s list of best ADHD books of all time, but it was also the winner of Parenting & Family’s 2020 Best Book Award and the Mom’s Choice Award. Maguire’s book offers parents, teachers, and clinicians coping skills and great techniques to help children deal with a range of challenges, from shyness to aggression to ADHD.

Not all of us are born with our brains wired the same way. We all think of things, remember things, and approach problem-solving in our own unique way. This is especially true for those born with learning differences.

Stories are powerful. They’re educational, entertaining, and inspiring, sticking in a child’s mind more easily than dry facts. Stories can play a useful part in the emotional development of your child, stretching their imagination and helping them to build vocabulary.