Helping Your Child Connect
with a Rewarding Summer Experience
Put some kids who struggle with LD and ADHD on a soccer field, and they will finally feel in control of their environment–able to show off their skills and work off their abundant energy. However, for many others, the soccer field (or any other sports venue) is a place they’d rather avoid at all costs.
Summertime is a perfect time to find the place your child will feel successful, to build confidence by exploring areas of interest in which your child may excel. A traditional sports camp experience may be perfect should you have a budding athlete, but know that there are many other options available to children and teens over the summer break. Some kids, who can’t throw a ball but love the outdoors, may enjoy camps that focus on outdoor experiences close to home. Others may choose to explore cooking, science, or photography, or classes in drama or the arts. For children who march to the beat of a different drummer, a wilderness camp experience may be the perfect antidote to feelings of fearfulness and inadequacy.
Summer is a wonderful time to build self-esteem through trying out new activities, and with a little bit of luck, they may become the basis for new friendships as well as new skills.
May 17th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
My son attends an away science camp and he always feels successful, smart, and relaxed there. There are many different ways children can spend the summer – you just need to find the best one for your child.