by Tamiko Teshima, M.A., CCC-SLP
Practice Owner & Speech-Language Pathologist
Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, LLC
Note: This is an update of the original 2020 post to include many skills, not just speech!
School is almost out! During the summer, routines are looser and everyone is ready for a break.
But here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough. Skills can slip over the summer. Research shows that children can lose “20 percent of their school-year gains in reading and 27 percent of their school-year gains in math” during the summer break. For many kids, summer can also impact communication, regulation, and everyday functional skills. This can be especially noticeable for children who receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, or mental health support during the school year. When structure changes, those supports often change too.
That doesn’t mean you need to recreate school at home. It just means being a little more intentional with the moments you already have. If you’re doing anything this summer, let it be this. Stay connected, stay curious, and build small moments of practice into your day in ways that feel natural. That’s more than enough.
Keep communication part of everyday life
Communication skills grow through use, not just structured practice. You don’t need to sit down for “speech time.” Instead, look for ways communication already shows up in your day. It might be talking about what you’re doing while making lunch, sharing observations on a walk, or telling stories at bedtime. If your child is working on specific speech sounds or language goals, you can gently bring those into daily routines. Short, low-pressure moments tend to be more effective than longer, more formal practice.
Activities don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. What matters most is that your child feels heard and understood.
Support regulation through rhythm and routine
Summer schedules can be more flexible, which is great! However, for many kids, especially those with sensory or emotional regulation needs, too much unpredictability can be overwhelming.
Keeping a loose rhythm to the day can make a big difference. That might mean having a general flow, like time to play, time to rest, and time to connect, even if the exact timing changes. Pay attention to how your child responds to different environments and activities. Some kids need more movement. Some need more quiet. Some need help transitioning between activities.
Regulation is not about control, it’s about support. When kids feel regulated, communication and learning come more easily (and life is just generally easier).
Build skills through real-life experiences
Daily routines are full of opportunities to support both communication and functional skills. Getting dressed, helping with simple chores, preparing snacks, or packing for an outing all build independence and motor planning. Talking through these tasks also supports language development. It’s okay if things take longer. That extra time is often where the learning happens.
Make space for play
Play is not a break from learning, it is learning. Through play, children practice communication, problem-solving, emotional expression, and flexibility. Whether it’s imaginative play, building, creating, or just being silly together, these moments support development across multiple areas. Following your child’s lead during play can create opportunities for connection and communication without pressure.
Stay connected emotionally
Summer can bring a mix of emotions. Some kids thrive with the change of pace, while others may feel dysregulated without the structure of school. Staying connected to your child’s emotional experience matters just as much as supporting skill development. That might look like naming feelings as they come up, validating frustration, or simply spending time together without an agenda. When kids feel safe and supported, they are more likely to communicate, engage, and try new things.
What to let go of
It can be tempting to use summer as a time to catch up or push harder. In reality, that approach can lead to burnout for both kids and caregivers. Not every moment needs to be a teaching moment. Not every skill needs to be practiced every day. Progress doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from consistency, connection, and support over time.
A little DLST side note
Every child is different. What works for one child may not work for another, and that’s okay. If you’re not sure what your child needs, or you’re noticing changes in communication, regulation, or daily skills over the summer, getting some guidance can help take the guesswork out of it. Your friendly, neighborhood multidisciplinary clinic will be able to help you!
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