As summer approaches and routines begin to relax, it’s common to see shifts in children’s developmental progress, whether they are in early developmental stages or preparing for Kindergarten. Skills including motor coordination, emotional regulation, self-care, and social interaction may plateau, or even regress, without consistent practice and structure.

Summer also presents valuable opportunities to identify developmental concerns or revisit ongoing ones, such as during routine visits for camp physicals/immunizations and preschool screenings. With caregivers often spending more time with their children, they may also observe behavioral or developmental changes that went unnoticed.

For children falling behind their peers, early intervention during these summer months can make a significant impact. Referring families to targeted supports such as virtual therapy gives them timely and flexible access to care. Ladder Health provides virtual occupational, speech, and physical therapy services that can strengthen skills and address common areas of concern:

Fine Motor Skills: Struggles with grasp, scissor use, drawing, and pre-writing tasks

Self-Care Routines: Delays in dressing, toileting, feeding, or hygiene independence

Speech and Language: Gaps in expressive or receptive communication

Sensory Processing: Dysregulation, sensory-seeking or avoidant behaviors

Social-Emotional Development: Challenges with peer interaction, turn-taking, emotional regulation

Executive Functioning: Difficulty with focus, task initiation, and transitions

With timely referrals and appropriate support in place, summer can be a powerful window to address developmental gaps and accelerate progress. By identifying emerging concerns and connecting families to effective services, providers can help ensure children enter the fall prepared and ready to thrive.

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