5 Activities to Ensure Your Special Family Has a Safe and Enjoyable Summer
June 16, 2016[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
A post by AngelSense, a GPS & voice monitoring solution designed for children with special needs.
Learn more about how AngelSense’s GPS tracking device brings peace of mind to parents and keeps children safe.
Summer vacation is an opportunity to reconnect and spend some quality time with your special family. With enough planning and some creativity, summer can be a rewarding and rejuvenating time for the entire family. And the best part is that you don’t have to go far to experience the wonders of summer. You’ll be amazed at how much fun your entire family can have in the comfort of your backyard or a nearby park.
But for special needs families, summer vacation isn’t without its challenges. In addition to finding the routine changes brought on by summer stressful, children with special needs are more likely to wander during the summer. This is why safety is a top priority for many parents, and something they need to consider seriously before embarking on any summer activity.
The important thing to remember, however, is that with the necessary precautions summer activities can be stimulating and highly beneficial for children with special needs. Ensuring your child is safe will also give you peace of mind, and an opportunity to enjoy the kind of summer you truly deserve.
The AngelSense team wishes you a fun-filled and safe summer! To help you make the most of this time, we’ve put together some activities the entire family will enjoy. But most of all, your special children will love you for giving them a summer holiday to remember.
1. Build a treehouse
There is nothing quite as engaging for the entire family as building a treehouse. This is the perfect family bonding activity, and is a highly enjoyable way to spend time outdoors. Not only is this a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, but both parents and children will find it fulfilling.
There is something rewarding about seeing what you can build with a few planks of wood and some rope. For children with special needs, such a project is particularly beneficial as it can help them develop coordination and will improve their social skills.
2. Have a sing-along day
Nothing helps family members bond like singing along to the same song. Ideally you should choose a song which is familiar to the entire family, and is easy for your special child to sing. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even create your own song. This is a great way to actively involve your children, and get their input throughout the song writing process.
Most children with special needs respond well to music. Music tends to have a calming effect on special children. It has also been found to improve communication skills and can enhance a child’s memory.
3. Find a suitable water activity
When summer heat becomes unbearable your family will be only too happy to spend some time in the swimming pool. A supervised activity or game will ensure your time is safe and enjoyable for the whole family. Just be sure to choose an activity that your child won’t find overstimulating or overwhelming.
A good idea is a game like Marco Polo. This is a form of tag played in the swimming pool. To make the game less stressful for your special child, you could divide your family into two teams. One team closes their eyes. The other team shouts “Marco” and team with closed eyes has to find them. A fun and engaging game, this is also an effective way to develop your child’s spatial awareness and auditory skills.
4. Spend some time in the park
Parents may be tempted to avoid parks over the summer as they can be a bit overwhelming for children with special needs. However, the key is to choose a quiet park with an area that can easily be cordoned off. Outdoor play is healthy for the entire family, and is a great way to spend the afternoon.
There are many different outdoor activities which will help you make the most of your time in the park. You could have a picnic, turning it into a fun sensory exploration experience for your child. Another fun idea is to play a game like Simon Says. This is ideal for many children with special needs as it’s a non-verbal game which will develop your child’s ability to concentrate as well as their attention to detail.
5. Make a family meal together
Cooking a meal as a family can be a rewarding experience, and is a good opportunity to bond. You can give every family member a different task from washing cucumbers to setting the table. This ensures that everyone is involved in some way. Be sure to only give your children safe kitchen tasks like washing, mixing or blending food.
This is great way to expose your child to different types of food that they may otherwise be reluctant to try. Many special children find working in the kitchen very stimulating with a range of new smells and tastes to experience. In addition to learning about food, this is a good way to develop your child’s math and language skills.
What type of activities do your special children enjoy during the summer? Share your tips and suggestions in the comments below.
AngelSense is committed to creating a safer world for special needs children. We designed the AngelSense GPS tracking solution to give parents the peace of mind that their child is safe at all times. You deserve peace of mind too. Try AngelSense Today.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
