🌞 Summer Prep: Fun and Mindful Ways to Transition from School Helping Little Ones Shift from Routine to Relaxation - Part 2
As the school year winds down, many parents and caregivers start to feel the shift — a change in energy, routine, and rhythm. For little learners, this transition from structured school days to the unstructured freedom of summer can be both exciting and overwhelming.
At Books by Rimes, we believe in easing this transition with a gentle, mindful approach that supports children’s emotional needs and encourages creativity. Whether you're homeschooling, wrapping up preschool, or heading into kindergarten prep, here are some fun and mindful ways to help your child move into summer with ease and joy.
🌿 1. Create a “Soft Landing” Week
Instead of diving headfirst into full summer mode, give your child a transition period. Keep a light routine in place for a week or two — things like a morning walk, a read-aloud after lunch, or quiet time with a calming activity. This eases the shift from a busy schedule to slower summer days.
✨ Try This: Use one of our Calming Journey for Little Ones books as part of your afternoon or bedtime rhythm. These gentle stories include breathing techniques and visualization prompts that help little bodies slow down and reset.
✂️ 2. Introduce Calm-Down Crafts
Creative time can be both fun and grounding. Set up a summer craft station with kid-friendly scissors, glue, and printable activities like our cutting skills or color-and-count workbooks (available on Amazon).
Why It Works: Crafting builds fine motor skills, encourages focus, and gives kids a calming outlet for big feelings that might come with change.
🧘 3. Practice Mindful Movement
A few minutes of intentional movement each day helps kids connect with their bodies and emotions. Try simple stretches, breathing games, or guided visualizations.
📺 Watch Together: Check out our calming videos on YouTube at @TheArtOfCalmForLittles. These short, gentle videos are designed for toddlers and preschoolers, featuring imaginative breathing techniques like Dragon Breath and Star Breath.
📚 4. Make a Summer Story Basket
Fill a small basket with seasonal books, calming stories, and a cozy blanket. Let your child choose a book or two each day for independent “rest time” or a shared cuddle session.
Bonus Tip: Include Books by Rimes titles that foster emotional awareness and storytelling fun — the perfect blend of heart and learning.
🎒 5. Reflect and Look Ahead
Even little ones benefit from reflection. Ask questions like, “What was your favorite part of the school year?” or “What are you excited to do this summer?” You can even draw or journal their answers together.
Then, co-create a Summer Adventure List — things like visiting the library, having a picnic, or watching clouds.
☀️ The Bottom Line:
You don’t need elaborate plans to make summer meaningful. Small moments of mindfulness and creativity help kids feel safe, loved, and ready for the weeks ahead. Whether you’re transitioning out of a busy school year or wrapping up a homeschool unit, you’ve already done something wonderful: you showed up with heart.
We’re here to support you with calming books, gentle routines, and playful resources — every step of the way.
Explore calming stories and printable activities at BooksbyRimes.com
Watch calming tools in action at TheArtOfCalmForLittles on YouTube
