Summer brings sunshine, popsicles, and the relief of time off. But for many students and their parents, it can also bring a whole new set of challenges. Changes in routines, more unstructured time, travel, or just the emotional shift from “school mode” to “summer mode” can leave kids feeling off-balance.

The good news? Summer is a fantastic time to build social and self-awareness skills in a low-pressure environment. We’ve got great resources to guide you!

Start with Be a Social Detective… on Vacation!, which turns trips and new environments into fun opportunities to spot social clues and hidden rules. If boredom hits, Summer Boredom: A Path to Awareness, Curiosity & Action helps kids turn “I’m bored” into meaningful self-reflection.


Unstructured time can challenge executive functioning, so check out Executive Function Tips for Summer Break for ideas on how to stay organized and flexible. Traveling? Travel Tips to Support Social Communication has easy strategies to reduce stress and boost connection along the way.


Summer is also a great time for deeper self-awareness. Teaching Students About Their Learning Strengths and Challenges encourages kids to see their brains as unique and capable. The Social Observation Strategy: Doors offers a simple tool to build curiosity about the world around them and help them figure out the situation. And Wrapping up the School Year with Social Thinking reminds us all that social learning is a journey—not a destination.

With these resources, and a little intention, even the summer months can help kids build self-awareness, social observation, and executive function skills.