by Jessica Kwerel, School Counselor and Andy Hurwitz, Student Support Specialist

The end of the school year is upon us, and soon our students will be spending time in the sunshine, at the pool, on vacation, at camp, or doing all the other fun activities that summer has to offer! Summer break is also a great time to decompress, relax, and recharge. Just like our electronic devices, we need time to unplug and disconnect. We encourage all of our families to spend some time away from your devices and truly be present with the joys of what summer time has to offer as a family.

Though boredom is a concept that seems foreign to most of us in this age of immediate technological connectedness, we also encourage our students to experience boredom. Learning how to satisfy needs for entertainment, creativity, imaginative play, and connectedness without the aid of technology is a crucial skill for our students to develop. iPads and iPhones can be great ways to pass the time on a long car trip, but so is being able to look out the window and daydream. We're not advocating taking away electronics, just encouraging a balance between the digital and analog world.

So what does this look like from a practical application? One suggestion might be taking an electronic free "holiday" for a specific period of time. Maybe your family is going to the beach and everyone turns off their devices for the afternoon or for the evening. Whatever feels right. Time away from our devices helps us to be present with those we're with, and not distracted by the next email or ping from a text.

For some children with learning challenges, though, the lack of structure and routines may lead children to experience boredom, but also may overwhelm them. Children with ADHD and other learning difficulties do better when they know what to expect — and, in turn, what's expected of them.

For these children, here's a list of tips, tricks, and recommendations:

1. Help your child create their own schedule/routine to follow
2. Provide choices, and allow them to pick the activity to a varying degree
3. Ensure that there is at least one activity the child will enjoy
4. Practice school work lessons (reading and math facts everyday)
5. Give them time to dream - that's where creativity can shine
6. Have family fun
7. Finally, record in your journal

Have a joyous and rejuvenating summer, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in the fall.