Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes excitement, flexibility, and the inevitable change in schedules. We look forward to late nights catching fireflies, playdates with neighbors that turn into missed bathtimes and delayed bedtimes, and traveling near and far to visit new and exciting places.
While this time of year is fun and relaxing, routine disruptions can create stress for young children. So how do you approach summer with the goal of loosening up the schedule without causing meltdowns and temper tantrums? A balanced approach to summer helps families enjoy the season while still supporting children’s emotional and developmental well-being.
Routines are essential for young children because they help them feel safe and secure while giving them boundaries to learn within. Consistent schedules help support healthy sleep habits, independence, emotional regulation, and resilience in an ever-changing world. Let’s break down how routines support children through each stage of development:
- Newborns and Infants: Routines establish a sense of security and predictability. Sleep, feed, play, repeat! Consistency supports their overall development and attachment.
- Toddlers: Structure. Expectations. Control. Toddlers are constantly seeking independence while testing boundaries. Predictable routines encourage exploration within safe and secure limits.
- Preschoolers: Preschoolers crave schedules and routines to help them learn. The predictability and stability gives them the opportunity to thrive. Lean into those bedtime routines—they secretly love them, even if they would never admit it!
- Kindergarten and older: As children enter elementary school, they begin applying the routines and skills learned in their preschool years. Consistency supports both academic and social development during this important transition.
By mid-February, many of us crave routine. It helps pull us out of the winter funk. We look forward to weekly dance classes, family game nights, and the structure that keeps our schedules moving smoothly. However, during summer, many of those routines disappear. No more tracking down ballet shoes every Wednesday or finding yet another outfit for spirit week.
Even for children enrolled in year-round childcare programs, summer often brings schedule changes, outdoor activities, and more flexibility throughout the day. So how can families maintain routines while still creating a summer to remember?
Keep Sleep Schedules Consistent
Aim to keep bedtime and wake-up times within an hour of their normal routine. Sleep is necessary for growth, mood regulation, and brain development. Having young children stay up too late will not benefit their health and will impact their mood and behavior. While the occasional late night is completely okay, consistently pushing bedtime later can make the transition back to a school-year schedule much more difficult in the fall.
Go To Bed Dirty
This may sound wrong at first—go to bed dirty?
We’ve become a society where nightly baths and carefully planned bedtime routines feel essential to getting children to sleep. But sometimes, bathtime becomes another battle at the end of an already full day.
Maybe your children want to stay outside a little longer catching fireflies, roasting one more s’more, or playing with friends before the sun goes down. Sometimes the memories matter more than perfectly clean pajamas.
If you have to choose between extra time together or a missed bath, remember: no harm will come from skipping it once in a while. A week of dirty sheets can be washed. Summer memories last much longer.
Balance Fun and Structure
Summer should feel exciting and relaxed, but maintaining some structure will help make the transition back to school and regular activities much easier in the fall. For children who are home during the summer, look for opportunities to incorporate learning through fun experiences like:
- Library visits
- Museum trips
- Nature center programs
- Outdoor exploration
- Arts and crafts
Nature centers, in particular, are often underutilized and frequently offer free programs for young children to explore and learn.
If your child attends year-round care or summer camp, weekends are a great opportunity to explore new experiences together. Water play, hiking, gardening, and hands-on sensory activities all help children learn about the world around them while staying active and engaged.
Limiting excessive screen time and encouraging hands-on play helps children continue developing important social, emotional, and problem-solving skills throughout the summer months.
Prepare Children for Upcoming Changes
Over the next few weeks, begin talking positively about upcoming summer changes and transitions. Children absorb far more than we realize, and they are constantly listening as adults discuss plans and schedule changes. Open conversations help children feel included, prepared, and emotionally secure as routines shift. It also creates opportunities for patience, reassurance, and excitement about what’s ahead.
Get Ready to Welcome Summer Like a Pro!
Summer is all about making memories, spending time together, and embracing a little flexibility along the way.
Still unsure about your summer plans? We would love to help your family create a fun, enriching, and engaging summer experience. Explore our summer camp options and year-round programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Contact us today to learn more!