Supporting Your Child During School Vacation

School vacation can be a wonderful break from the usual pace, and it can also feel overwhelming for children (and parents). Routines change, environments are different, people come and go, and expectations can feel unclear. For many kids, that combination can lead to sensory overload, big emotions, and behaviors that feel hard to navigate.

If that’s been your experience, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Below are a few gentle, practical ways to support your child during school vacation while honoring everyone’s needs.

Start With a Visual Schedule

One of the most helpful tools during school breaks is a visual schedule. Knowing what to expect, even loosely, can reduce anxiety and help children feel more grounded when routines are different.

This doesn’t need to be fancy. For our younger kids, we often draw simple pictures (and yes, they are absolutely stick figures, we promise you don’t need to be an artist to make this work!). A few boxes on a piece of paper with quick drawings can go a long way.

For older children, a written list or checklist can work just as well. You might include things like:

• Where you’re going

• Who will be there

• What activities are planned

• When there will be breaks or downtime

You can also use photos from your camera roll; pictures of places you’ll visit or people your child will see can make the plan feel even more concrete and familiar.

Review the Schedule Together

Take a few minutes to look at the schedule with your child ahead of time. Talk through what the day might look like and invite questions. This gives your child a chance to process, ask for clarification, and mentally prepare.

You might say:

• “First we’ll go to Grandma’s, then we’ll have lunch, and after that you’ll have time to play with your new Legos.”

• “What part of the day are you most excited about?”

• “The restaurant we’re going to for lunch has the french fries you like.”

This kind of preview can be incredibly regulating, iit helps reduce surprises and lets your child know you’re thinking about their experience.

Offer Choices and Input When You Can

Whenever it’s appropriate, allow your child to have input into the plan. This might look like choosing:

• Which toy or comfort item to bring

• When to take a break

• What activity comes first

• How they’d like to spend downtime

Giving children a sense of control and ownership, even in small ways, can make a big difference. It communicates, “Your preferences matter, and we’re in this together.”

It’s also helpful to clearly show when they’ll get time to do something they enjoy. Knowing that a preferred activity or rest time is coming can help them tolerate harder parts of the day.

Set Expectations — Gently

Visuals and conversations are also a great way to set expectations ahead of time. You might include reminders about:

• How long you’ll stay somewhere

• What behavior is expected in certain spaces

• What the plan is if things feel overwhelming

This isn’t about being rigid, it’s about creating predictability in a time that already feels unpredictable.

Pick Your Battles (and Be Kind to Yourself)

It’s okay if things don’t look the way you imagined. Holidays and vacations can feel very different for families with children who struggle with sensory input, transitions, or changes in routine, and that’s okay.

Sometimes the goal isn’t a perfect outing or a full schedule. Sometimes it’s connection, safety, and getting through the day with everyone feeling as supported as possible.

You are doing something hard! Truly.

Lean on your village when you can. Ask for help. Take breaks. Adjust plans. And remember that flexibility, compassion, and understanding go a long way, for your child and for you.

School vacations may look different in your family, but different doesn’t mean wrong. It means you’re meeting your child where they are, and that matters more than anything!

At Leading Therapy Home, we know support doesn’t stop at the therapy session, especially during school breaks and busy seasons. We’re here to partner with you, offer practical tools, and support your child in the moments that matter most. If you’d like more ideas or support during school breaks, our team is always here to help!