Nurturing Relationships Through Summer: Reflections for Families and Educators
- Dr Jan Macfarlane
- Jul 19, 2025
- 3 min read
The Season of Change and Connection
Summer is here! We can welcome the season of music festivals, country shows, picnics in the park, and visiting the beach. It is also getting to the end of the academic year for some early years children and a time of change for their relationships. Perhaps it means saying goodbye to some and devoting time to preparing and saying hello to new relationships.
Why Relationships Matter
Research shows us that nurturing relationships are vital for academic learning and emotional development throughout the life cycle (Hau, 2025). Yet, society is changing and our supportive networks are contracting. Families are smaller with less extended relationships, the focus is often on achievement and less value is given to free playtime as opposed to scheduled activities and of course there is the increasing use of technology and screen contact.
The Role of Educators in Building Connections
Fortunately, most of us are acutely aware that positive healthy connections improve academic outcomes, social skills and emotional regulation. Therefore, in order to address this, it is important for early years educators to be innovative and creative in developing future policy and practice to highlight the importance of developing relationships and learning skills for our young ones. We know they need to feel safe and supported with adults and others of the same age, as we learn so much by being with others, both academically and socially.
Looking Closer to Home
Clearly there are many other socioeconomic factors that can impact on our children’s wellbeing and their opportunities for securing thriving relationships, such as access to healthcare, an acceptable level of household income, frequent exposure to green spaces and successful neighbourhood safety that deserve deeper comment (Wheeler, 2025). But for this blog the focus is closer to home as it is clear that spending time with our children develops security and helps strengthen a more peaceful and supportive base.
Finding Opportunity in the Summer Break
During this period before the ‘new term’ starts within our own families, we can continue to develop relationships with other extended family members and be mindfully active in our communities to foster connection and experience shared values. We can prioritise play in the home and outside to increase our social circles with the added benefits of experiencing nature as often as possible (Passmore et al., 2025).
The Stress of Summer and the Importance of Self-Care
Yet, summer can be as daunting a time for parents as any other time of year. Looking after our young ones is arguably the most stressful time as they require so much care. However, employers are not conveniently going to give extra time off to facilitate this and smaller families mean less available child care, which can dramatically increase stress levels all around. There is no surprise then, that this in turn can influence the child’s wellbeing and lead to negative feelings for those involved.
Practising Positive Psychology for Wellbeing
So it makes good sense to remember that looking after ourselves as parents, grandparents and early year professionals has equal importance. This may take many forms but positive psychology interventions remind us that we can:
• Learn and practice mindfulness for a healthy go to for lowering stress levels (Chen, 2025).
• Practice promoting a positive outlook and share good news reciprocally with others
• Be aware and capitalise on our own character strengths
• Gratefully remember the good things in our lives
• Take time for ourselves when we can
• Keep our own healthy relationships a priority
• Recognise setbacks as a natural part of life and give ourselves credit for the resilience shown in getting this far
• Knowing that if bad or good, nothing lasts forever!
Cherishing the Moment
Do take the photos and share the memories. The time will pass all too quickly and each day is important – it will become part of your story and theirs. There is nothing more precious.
So I wish for all a safe and happy holiday time. See you in the Autumn!
Dr Jan
References
Chen, J. 2025. Greater Good Science Centre
Hau, I. 2025. Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education, Public Affairs
Passmore, H.-A., Lumber, R, Niemiec, R., & Sofen, L. I. (2025). Creating kinship with nature and boosting well-being: Testing two novel character strengths-based nature connectedness interventions. Journal of Happiness Studies, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-00900-9
Wheeler, S. 2025 Greater Good Science Centre
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