School’s almost out, structure will be out the window, and you’re suddenly the cruise director of your child’s social, emotional, and educational life. But here’s the thing: summer is also the perfect time to help your kids build emotional skills that carry right back into the classroom come fall. And that’s where we come in.
Why Emotional Engagement Matters (Even When School’s Out)
We get it. Summer is supposed to be about running barefoot through sprinklers, eating popsicles for breakfast, and not thinking about a schedule. But studies show that kids who stay emotionally connected during summer are better equipped to handle the pressures of school, friendships, and those “I forgot my homework” moments that make you want to scream into a pillow.
The trick? Making emotional engagement feel less like a chore and more like an adventure. (Think less summer school and more Inside Out meets Bluey.) That’s why our tools are designed to make these moments intentional, playful, and deeply impactful.
Activities to Keep the Emotional Wheels Turning
1. Feelings Jar: Have a mason jar where kids drop in notes about how they’re feeling each day. (Yes, even bored counts.) At the end of the week, go through them together and talk it out. It’s like emotional spring cleaning. Pro Tip: Pair it with our Needs Wheel to help take things one step further and identify what they need based on how they felt all week.
2. Outdoor Adventure Mapping: Take a nature walk and let them map out their journey. Encourage them to name spots based on how they felt there—“Excitement Hill,” “Calm Creek,” or “Curiosity Path.” Bring along the Body Sensations Wheel to talk about where they felt those emotions in their body as they explored.
3. Family Book Club: Pick a book to read together and have a weekly chat about the characters’ choices, emotions, and relationships. Bonus points if you pick something like Wonder or Inside Out and Back Again that already dives deep into feelings. Consider using the Values Deck to talk about what values the characters displayed.
4. Gratitude Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of things they’re grateful for and send them around the house or neighborhood to collect or snap pictures. (Pro tip: you can count a sibling’s smile, even if it’s forced. Just saying.) Reflect with the Feelings Wheel afterward to explore how gratitude impacts their emotions.
How This Carries Over Into the Classroom
Emotional engagement isn’t just a summertime fling. It’s a long-term relationship. Kids who practice emotional awareness over the summer don’t just slide back into the school year; they thrive. They handle stress better, navigate friendships with less drama (well, mostly), and even perform better academically. When teachers see a kid who knows how to talk about their feelings without a meltdown? Chef’s kiss. That’s the dream.
Our tools make it easy. When kids understand their values and know how to articulate their feelings, they bring that emotional literacy right into the classroom, making them more confident, resilient, and ready to learn.
Wrapping It Up (Before They Start Climbing the Walls)
Summer doesn’t have to be chaos (although, let’s be honest, it probably will be at times). With a little creativity, some intentional time, and the right tools, you can keep your kids emotionally connected, engaged, and ready to take on the school year with confidence, and maybe even a little more emotional maturity.
If you’re ready to make this summer one of growth, connection, and a little less chaos, it’s time to get started.
