Summer is here! Filled with spontaneous outings, travel plans, long days, unpredictable schedules, new faces, loud holidays, and later bedtimes. For a lot of young families summer is a welcome break from the usual school-year calendar. But for those with very young children, this lack of structure can make things very hard. Babies and children (and let’s be honest, adults too) thrive on predictability. All our carefully crafted routines often are thrown out the window during the summer months.

At Song of the Heart were big believers in rhythm over rigidity, especially during the summer. Creating a lightweight routine helps little ones feel secure, even when the day-to-day looks different.

Here’s how to maintain that sense of stability without sacrificing summer fun:

Anchor the Day with a Few Consistent Touchpoints

Even if you’re traveling or skipping naps, keep a few moments consistent:

• A familiar morning routine: try singing your child’s favorite song to time brushing their teeth and washing their hands, utilize sing-song transition cues, or do our Brain Gym crossies and double doodles.
• Rest time: find time in the middle of your day, especially if you’re missing a nap time, to do an I Love You Ritual and cuddle to a favorite lullaby on the Kindermusik app. (Some of our favorites are Sun Gan and Skye Boat Song.)
• Bedtime ritual: get out a story blanket, read their favorite book, do another I Love You Ritual, and sing a favorite goodnight song.

These anchors act like emotional bookmarks in your child’s day.

Keep Music a Constant

Music offers comfort and familiarity no matter where you are. Ideally, you’re still attending your weekly Kindermusik class or enrolled in some of our Summermusik day camp session. This predictability will give your child a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of summer.

Try curating a playlist of your child’s favorite Kindermusik songs on the app to play during car rides. Maybe bring along egg shakers (or the instrument you got in your enrollment bag) and scarves for a mini music moment wherever you go. Even five minutes of shared music time can offer a grounding moment of connection and joy.

Create a “Flexible Framework”

Think of your day in blocks rather than a set schedule:

• Morning movement (walk, playground, dance party)
• Midday rest (nap, books, quiet time)
• Evening unwind (music, bath, snuggles)

This approach allows for spontaneity while still giving your child the structure they crave.

Talk it Through

Little ones do better when they know what’s coming. Use simple language to preview changes: “We’re going on a trip tomorrow. We’ll sing your bedtime song and bring your Snuggie, even in the hotel!” And try to keep some element of their routines consistent, even if the time and place they occur are disrupted.

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Summer doesn’t have to mean chaos. With a few intentional rhythms, you can create a summer that feels both magical and manageable for both you and your child.

And hey, our Kindermusik classes are still rolling through the summer! Come sing, move, and make memories with us.