Summer Days, Strong Minds: Using Literacy, Outdoor Play, and Family Connection to Support Children's Mental Health

By Crystal Hall, Community Engagement Officer

Summer often brings thoughts of sunshine, freedom, and fun. For children, it can be a season filled with adventure, discovery, and new experiences. Yet for many families, summer can also present challenges. Changes in routine, limited access to structured learning opportunities, increased screen time, and social isolation can impact children's emotional well-being and learning development.

At BCDI-Ohio, we believe summer offers a powerful opportunity to nurture not only children's academic growth but also their mental health, confidence, and sense of belonging. Through literacy, outdoor exploration, and meaningful family engagement, families can create experiences that support the healthy development of the whole child.

Why Summer Matters for Mental Health

Children thrive on connection, consistency, and opportunities to explore the world around them. During the summer months, these opportunities can either expand or diminish depending on access to activities and supportive environments.

Mental health in childhood is not simply the absence of challenges. It includes a child's ability to express emotions, build relationships, solve problems, manage stress, and develop a positive sense of self.

Simple everyday experiences can help strengthen these skills:

• A walk through the neighborhood.

• Reading a book together under a tree.

• Visiting a local park.

• Sharing stories at the dinner table.

• Planting flowers in a garden.

  
  

These moments may seem small, but they help children develop emotional security, resilience, and confidence.

Literacy Beyond the Classroom

Learning does not stop when school ends.

Summer literacy experiences help children maintain reading skills while encouraging creativity, curiosity, and imagination. More importantly, reading together creates opportunities for connection and conversation.

Families can support literacy by:

• Creating a daily family reading routine

• Visiting local libraries and community reading events

• Starting a family book club

• Encouraging children to keep a summer journal

• Reading books that reflect children's cultures, identities, and experiences

• Listening to audiobooks during car rides and family outings

Literacy is more than learning words. It helps children understand emotions, develop empathy, and see possibilities beyond their immediate experiences.

When children see themselves reflected positively in books and stories, they develop stronger self-esteem and a deeper sense of belonging.

The Healing Power of Outdoor Play

Research continues to show that spending time outdoors supports children’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. A systematic review published in Pediatrics, the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, found that access to nature was positively associated with children’s physical activity and mental health. The review also supports creating equitable opportunities for children to experience nature where they live, learn, and play (Fyfe-Johnson et al., 2021).

Outdoor experiences can help children:

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Improve mood and emotional regulation

• Build confidence and independence

• Strengthen problem-solving skills

• Develop social connections

• Increase physical activity

Families do not need expensive vacations or elaborate plans to experience the benefits of nature.

Consider:

• Nature scavenger hunts

• Family walks

• Park picnics

• Community gardening projects

• Outdoor story time

• Sidewalk chalk activities

• Neighborhood exploration adventures

Outdoor play encourages curiosity and reminds children that learning can happen everywhere.

Creating a Summer of Connection

The most valuable summer activity may be one that costs nothing at all: quality time together.

Strong family relationships are among the most important protective factors for children's mental health. When children feel seen, heard, and valued, they are better equipped to navigate challenges and build healthy relationships.

Families can strengthen connections by:

• Sharing meals together

• Limiting distractions during family time

• Asking open-ended questions

• Creating family traditions

• Celebrating small accomplishments

• Practicing gratitude together

• Encouraging children to talk about their feelings

These moments help build trust and emotional safety, creating a foundation for lifelong wellness.

A Community Responsibility

This summer, let us commit to creating environments where every child has the opportunity to read, play, explore, and thrive.

Supporting children's mental health is not solely the responsibility of families. It requires schools, educators, community organizations, libraries, faith communities, and neighborhood partners working together to create opportunities for learning, connection, and joy.

At BCDI-Ohio, we know that literacy builds opportunity, outdoor experiences inspire discovery, and strong relationships create resilience.

When we invest in children today, we strengthen families, enrich communities, and help ensure a brighter future for generations to come.

Because every child deserves a summer filled with learning, laughter, connection, and hope.

Reference

Fyfe-Johnson, A. L., et al. “Nature and Children’s Health: A Systematic Review.” Pediatrics, vol. 148, no. 4, 2021, e2020049155. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-049155.