Summer’s Secret Skills

Summer often brings mixed emotions. There’s the joy of freedom, fresh air, and fun. And along with that, there are disrupted routines, overstimulation, and the quiet worry many parents carry, “Will my child lose the progress they’ve worked so hard to achieve?”

But kids, especially those with special needs, don’t only grow during therapy sessions. They build skills in daily life, often in ways that aren’t measured, but matter deeply. Those skills can be nurtured in a park, bungalow yard, or on a road trip.

Here are 8 real-life skills your child can learn this summer – and how to support that growth in simple, meaningful ways.

Flexibility

What it is: Adapting to changes in plans or routine

Why it matters: Flexibility is the foundation for handling change without meltdowns. It helps kids transition between activities, adapt to new teachers or therapists, and feel less anxious in unfamiliar settings.

What it might look like: Your child accepts a schedule change or chooses a different breakfast when their favorite cereal isn’t available.

Try this: Let your child pick a “surprise card” each day for a small, unexpected activity. Include options like blow bubbles, wear a new shirt, try a different swing, eat a snack outside. Framing change as fun builds flexibility.

Sensory Tolerance

What it is: Expanding comfort with textures or sounds

Why it matters: Sensory processing shapes how a child experiences the world. Children with sensitivities often struggle with meals, dressing, play, and learning — because they’re constantly managing overwhelming input. Gently building tolerance can reduce anxiety and open the door to fuller participation in everyday life. What it might look like: Walking barefoot on different surfaces, eating new foods, or tolerating loud or unpredictable play.

Try this: Set up a “yes space” – a safe area with a few sensory items your child is free to touch, explore, or ignore. Include water bins, spray bottles, sand, or stress balls. Observe what they’re drawn to. Once your child shows consistent comfort, gently introduce one new element at a time — such as a squishy mat, a scented lotion, or a textured toy — staying just within their window of tolerance. With time and consistency, this process can help expand sensory comfort and confidence.

Problem-Solving

What it is: Figuring things out with less help

Why it matters: When kids solve problems on their own, they gain confidence and become less dependent on adult prompts. It fosters independence and prepares them for real-life challenges.

What it might look like: Figuring out how to complete a block tower, reach something on a high shelf, or open a box.

Try this: Offer simple challenges: “How can we carry these snacks?” or “How can we get the ball?” and let your child come up with ideas and try them out. If they struggle coming up with something, resist the urge to jump in right away; give them time to problem-solve. 

Self-Advocacy

What it is: Asking for help or setting a boundary

Why it matters: Self-advocacy is a life skill. It helps kids clearly express their needs instead of acting out or shutting down.

What it might look like: Choosing a quiet spot, saying no to a game, or asking for headphones when noise gets overwhelming.

Try this: Before a trip or family BBQ, offer options for your child to use when overwhelmed, like a shady bench, an eye mask, or a quiet corner. Praise them when they use their tools.

Social Observation

What it is: Learning by watching others

Why it matters: Many social skills start with observation. Kids first watch the rules of play before joining in.

What it might look like: Noticing turn-taking or copying a movement.

Try this: Narrate what others are doing to help your child connect actions with social meaning: “He’s waiting his turn — that means he’s letting someone else go first,” or “That girl saw her friend fall and went to help her get up. That's how we take care of a friend who’s hurt.” Over time, observation builds the foundation for imitation, turn-taking, and joining group activities — especially for children who need extra time to process social cues.

Motor Confidence

What it is: Trying new movements

Why it matters: Moving confidently helps kids feel more secure in their bodies, which supports regulation, focus, and self-esteem.

What it might look like: Climbing stairs, jumping on uneven ground, running across grass.

Try this: Encourage free play in new spaces — a park, yard, or hiking trail. Or, create simple obstacle paths using towels, buckets, or chairs. Let them move and explore, building confidence in their own body. For kids with limited mobility, offer sensory-motor activities like reaching for textured objects or being rocked in a hammock to build body awareness.

Emotional Resilience

What it is: Recovering from frustration

Why it matters: Learning to calm down after a disappointment builds emotional strength that carries into school, friendships, and beyond.

What it might look like: Calming down after dropping a popsicle, stepping back from a competitive game, or covering their ears instead of melting down. 

Try this: Say what you see: “That was hard, but you calmed down,” or “You looked upset, and now you’re feeling better.” Naming the shift helps your child recognize their ability to regulate. Add predictable calming rituals, such as sipping cold water, squeezing a fidget toy, or taking a few quiet minutes in a cozy spot. Over time, these rituals become internalized tools your child can use independently to return to calm after distress.

Spontaneous Play

What it is: Creating pretend worlds, assigning storylines to toys or everyday objects, or using common objects in symbolic ways.

Why it matters: Imaginative play develops flexible thinking, creativity, and even social-emotional skills, especially when kids act out scenarios and solve pretend problems.

What it might look like: Turning a towel into a cape, using stones as animals in a pretend zoo, or pretending to be a king.

Try this: Offer loose parts – spoons, water, buckets, fabric – and let them lead the play. The less defined the toys, the more creativity can unfold. Join your children in their imaginative scenarios.

Redefining Progress

These small wins might not show up in reports or milestone checklists, but they matter. They build confidence, awareness, and connection. And they’re happening all around you.

Even if this summer feels unstructured, if your child is exploring, laughing, or trying something new, they are learning.

And these everyday wins are shaped by your love and support.