August Structure
Tuesday’s Timely Tip:
A Chance for us to think ahead a bit and plan for the next month, the next holiday, the next challenge. By thinking ahead, we can relieve our own stress and model calm for our kids.
I know it seems overwhelming to get through the day-to-day and find time to pause to think ahead, but I almost always found it was well worth it!
Does your child have August off from school? Even the best extended school year programs offered through public schools often have nothing offered during the month of August. A month is a long time for any routine driven child to have off without any structure.
So, a structure we will create!
Creating a Structure
How that looks will depend on your needs and your child’s needs. Here are some things to consider.
- Is there a camp that provides the support your child needs?
- If you/both parents work, how do your childcare needs change without school/after school care?
- Are you going to be at home with your child for a full month? If so, do you have any help? Are there friends or family who might be able to give you some respite?
- Before school ends, check in with your child’s teacher/school team to see if there is anything you can be doing to maintain their skills over the month of August.
- Are there any special activities that can anchor the month and provide excitement? Maybe a trip to the aquarium, the zoo, a water park?
- August is a popular time for family gatherings: consider helping your child practice family members’ names if this is challenging for them. Use photos to help them become familiar with their faces before they see them.
- Is there a loose daily schedule you (or your babysitter) can follow to give each day some predictability for your child?
Daily Schedule
Can any of these be the same most days to give the month some predictability?
- Meal times, foods offered
- Bedtime routine
- Hygiene routines
- Quiet time, nap time
- DEAR (drop everything and read), cuddle time with a good book
- Outside time
- TV time
- Independent play time
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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