Summer is the perfect time to help your child with ADHD build essential executive function skills.
This list of easy ways to build in learning lets you enjoy the fun AND set your child up for success in the fall...
Grocery Shopping = Executive Function Skills
Feeding the family requires A LOT of planning.
You've been doing it so long, you don't even see it - but figuring out what to make, on which night, and making sure all the right things are in the house?
Shopping, comparing prices, adding up the cost? That takes lots of planning.
Try asking your child to suggest a meal, help decide what needs to be on the list, locate items in the store or determine how many to get, participate in meal prep or set the table.
For little kids, just figuring out what goes on the table is a planning task by itself!
With Younger Kids, Build Executive Function Skill with Memory Games
Memory games are great for building working memory, which is something all kids need. And you can play them anywhere - by yourself or with others!
What's working memory?
Working memory is a form of short term memory. It's the place where your brains holds information while you are using it to do something.
I like to think of working memory like a mixing bowl: you put things in it (Information) and you might add things (more information, some requirements or other demands). You finish by taking a final product out (like a decision or a solution).
It's not a permanent place, the mixing bowl. And the bigger your mixing bowl is, the more stuff you can do.
Memory games come in card and electronic versions - like matching games, games actually called "memory," and the light sequencing game Simon.
But you can play a lot of games without buying anything at all. Consider these ideas:
Simon Says: This classic game involves listening carefully and remembering instructions. Increase the challenge by adding more complex sequences or combining multiple actions.
I Went to the Market: Players take turns adding items to a list, repeating the entire list each time. For example, “I went to the market and bought apples, bananas, and carrots.” This game exercises memory and recall.
Follow the Leader: One person performs a series of actions, and others must mimic the sequence exactly. Start with simple movements and gradually make them more complex to increase the difficulty.
Memory Storytelling: Create a collaborative story where each player adds a sentence or two, but must first repeat everything that has been said so far. This helps strengthen memory and sequencing skills.
20 Questions: Think of an object, animal, or person, and have your child ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to guess what it is. They must remember the answers to previous questions to narrow down their guesses.
With Older Kids, Build Executive Function Skills with Strategy Games
Board games like chess, Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Clue, and Parcheesi all require strategic thinking, planning, and working memory.
These games help kids practice decision-making, problem-solving, and following multi-step directions in a fun and engaging way.
If you have someone in your house who isn't quite ready to play alone, consider playing in partners so an experienced player can support learning for a less experienced one. It's important to limit frustration:when frustration shows up it gets in the way of learning.
Gamify Chore Time
Asking your kids to help with small chores without making a big deal of it builds responsibility - and it helps with task initiation and completion, two other essential skills.
To turn chores into a game, try these ideas:
Race Against the Clock: Set a timer and challenge everyone to complete their chores before it goes off. Offer small rewards for beating the clock, such as extra playtime or a special treat.
Chore Bingo: Create a bingo card with different chores in each square. As chores are completed, mark off the squares. The first person to complete a row, column, or diagonal wins a prize.
Role Play: Turn the chore into an adventure by pretending to be characters like superheroes, detectives, or explorers. For instance, become a superhero who must clean the "villain's lair" (the messy room) to save the day.
Points System: Assign points to different chores based on difficulty and time required. Create a leaderboard to track points, and offer rewards for reaching certain point milestones, such as choosing a family movie or picking a favorite dinner.
Create a Schedule for Summer Harmony (WHAT?)
I know it's your greatest temptation to throw that schedule out the window in summer, but hear me out: Consistency is key.
Research shows that predictable routines can improve focus and reduce anxiety.
Plus, your child will be more interested in summer things - which means you have an easy way to introduce any new system you try before you want to use it "for real" when school starts back up.
Consider using visual aids, shown to be especially helpful for people with ADHD, to help your child see what's coming next. Here are some ideas:
Visual Timers: Use timers to visually indicate how long an activity will last.
Colorful Calendars: Create a colorful, engaging calendar with stickers or drawings to mark activities and events.
Task Charts: Develop a daily task chart where your child can check off completed activities.
Activity Cards: Use cards with pictures representing different activities that can be arranged in order of the day.
Apps and Digital Tools: Explore child-friendly scheduling apps that offer visual and interactive ways to manage time.
These visual scheduling ideas can help your child understand and anticipate daily routines, which means a smoother day for everyone!
Summer is a great time to slow down and do things together. Every time you involve your kids in the small steps of thinking, planning, or getting ready for something - it all counts!
It might be easier or faster to just do things for them, but taking the extra time to engage you kids in all the work you do means you'll be celebrating progress in no time.
Doing things with you, your child can strengthen their executive function skills, grow their sense of responsibility and belonging, and still have a blast this summer!