Summer Break and Children’s Mental Health: What Parents Should Know
May marks Emotional Health Awareness Month, a reminder that sustaining mental and emotional wellbeing deserves the same care and attention as physical health. For families, it arrives at a meaningful time as the school year winds down. With summer break lasting 10 to 11 weeks in many schools in the U.S., the long stretch away from familiar classroom hours and daily routines can create new dynamics in children’s overall wellbeing. Keep reading to explore how the summer months can influence young minds and how you can support your child’s wellbeing throughout the season.
Summer is upon us—how can we make the most of this season filled with opportunities and discoveries?
Mental Health in Early Childhood
Early childhood is a critical stage of development marked by rapid brain growth and formation of cognitive, social, emotional, and physical foundations. These early experiences can shape long-term outcomes in profound ways, both positively and negatively.
Research has debunked the belief that young children are “immune to the effects of early adversity and trauma because they are inherently resilient and ‘grow out of’ behavioral problems and emotional difficulties.” In reality, just like every age group, young children can experience mental health conditions:
- According to the CDC, one in six children ages 2-8 have a diagnosable mental health condition.
- Another large study suggests that at least one in ten children under the age of 5 have a significant emotional, behavioral, or relationship problem.
More importantly, mental health is not simply the absence of a mental health condition; it is also about a child’s ability to thrive. It is never too early to care about a child’s wellbeing.
It’s our responsibility to provide our children with positive social-emotional learning experience.
How Can Summer Break Challenge Children’s Wellbeing?
Without structure and support, summer break can be disruptive to children’s growth.
Loneliness
School is not just a place for academic learning but also a primary source of daily social interactions that are essential for socialization, resilience, and communication development.
Screen time and technology overuse
Research shows that 68% of children use technology more during summer break than during the school year. Excessive screen time can hinder physical and mental development. It may also displace important developmental activities such as physical play, face-to-face interaction, and creative exploration.
Read on about how to help you child(ren) foster a healthy, balanced relationship with technology here.
Lack of Structure
Without the rhythm of the school day, the long unstructured time in the summer can contribute to the summer learning slide, a regression in skills that may affect both school readiness and confidence when classes resume.
Beyond academics, young children especially benefit from consistent routines, which help them build self-regulation and a sense of security. When daily structure is limited, some children may develop less balanced habits or experience increased anxiety.
How Can Summer Enrich Children’s Wellbeing?
With intention, summer can be one of the most emotionally enriching seasons of a child’s life.
Outdoor play
Longer days and warmer weather naturally encourage children to spend more time outdoors, offering opportunities to explore beyond the classroom. According to a 2023 study, children who regularly engage in self-directed outdoor play demonstrate stronger social and cognitive development, increased physical activity, and improved vision.
Time outdoors also increases exposure to natural light, which supports Vitamin D production, important for bone health and serotonin synthesis, which plays a role in mood regulation and brain function.
Family bonds
With more flexible schedules, summer creates valuable opportunities for families to slow down and connect more. Shared experiences, whether simple family dinners or dedicated trips together, help strengthen relationships, deepen communication, and provide family members with a stronger sense of emotional support and security.
Enrichment Activities
High-quality summer programs can offer meaningful mental health benefits by providing structure, social interaction, and opportunities to build peer relationships. For many children, these environments offer a sense of belonging and emotional renewal in a supportive setting.
Tessa International School’s Summer Camp 2026
Tessa’s “Fun, Friends, and Adventures” Summer Camps provide an immersive language experience where fun, learning, and creativity come together:
- An immersive language environment: Whether just starting out or building on their language skills in Spanish, French, or Mandarin, learning a language alongside peers nurtures their communication skills and cultural openness to recognize and appreciate diverse cultures.
- A balance of fun academics & outdoor activities: Campers not only build language skills and academic knowledge in the classroom, but also sustain focus and strengthen emotional regulation through active play and social experiences. Team sports, such as soccer, provide meaningful opportunities to practice collaboration and strengthen social skills in an enjoyable setting.
- Age-appropriate activities for ages 2-4 and 5-10: Extending from our Social-Emotional Learning approach, our camp activities and routines are tailored to each developmental stage, ensuring every child feels capable, confident, and appropriately challenged.
- Weekly themes and guest speakers: Each week introduces a new theme connected to real-world concepts, such as the FIFA World Cup and the Fourth of July, keeping learning dynamic and relevant. Guest specialists further enrich the program by bringing fresh perspectives and expertise.
- Art and STEM focus: Hands-on experiences from creative exploration to scientific inquiry encourage children to express their ideas and feelings in diverse ways while developing strong reasoning and problem-solving skills.
