OT Kids Comic: Summer Programs
A comic strip to help families talk to kids about summer programs.
Talking to your child about summer programs: tips for families
- It may be difficult for children to transition into summer school, so think about different words you might use, such as summer program.
- Talk about the summer and things your child might like, such as eating lunch or going to a playground. Some of these things may be part of summer programs that your child might find enjoyable:
- Math, storytime
- Games, friends, music, dance, show and tell
- Play, lunch, or snack time
- Talk about things you and your child can do to get ready, such as making snacks, packing a backpack, or choosing clothes.
- Make stories with pictures to help talk about hard things, such as making friends or dealing with smells.
- Create a picture or written schedule, and count down days until the end of the program. Celebrate good things that happen along the way.
Get ready for summer programs
Think about things that may be hard for the child as well as ways to make them better. Talk to an OT practitioner if you need to. Things that may be hard for a child:
- Schedules
- Following a sleep routine
- Following a morning routine
- Following rules and schedules
- Moving to and from classes or recess
- Everyday activities
- Wearing some new clothing items, such as jeans
- Sitting for a long time in classes or at lunch
- Waiting in line
- Listening and speaking when appropriate
- Making new friends
- Places, smells, sounds, and sights
- Indoor and outdoor places with shifts in temperature
- Smells (foods, cleaning products, perfumes)
- Sounds (yelling, crying, talking, bells)
- Sights (bright lights, bulletin boards)
Panel 1
Image description: 1 boy, 1 adult man standing and talking.
Boy: “Why do I have to go to summer school? Why can't I just hang out and play?”
Adult man: “Your school is offering a summer program to help kids get back to a normal routine.”
Panel 2
Image description: 1 girl, 1 adult woman sitting at a table with coffee cups.
Girl: “I don't want to go to summer school!”
Adult woman: “This year it is more like a summer program, and those can be fun. There will still be plenty of time to do the other things you want to do. What is something you want to do after your day is over?”
Panel 3
Image description: 1 adult woman, 1 girl, and 1 adult man sitting at a table.
Adult woman: “What do you want to do this summer?”
Girl: "I don't know. Maybe I'll text some friends or watch TV and play video games."
Adult man: "You might get bored if you do the same thing every day. The summer program will let you try new and fun activities, and spend time with your teachers and classmates."
Panel 4
Image description: 2 boys and 1 girl standing in a classroom, with masks on, talking.
Boy 1: “At first, I didn't want to go to the summer program.”
Boy 2: "Me neither, but I like getting ready to come to school."
Girl: "Yeah, I like seeing my friends every day and getting back to my normal routine."