How to Have a Happy, Stress Free Holiday Season While Working on Speech and Language

Let’s face it, the holidays are not always what they appear to be in film or on television.  Many parents are working overtime in order to take time off at the holidays, everyone is rushing around to prepare for Santa, attending children’s recitals, buying and wrapping presents, and decorating the home.  And it has also been a year of great change.  Last December felt very different for most families as most did not travel or attend family gatherings.  Whether a family chooses to scale down the festivities or go all out, it can still be a very stressful for the entire family. 

But why is it so stressful for a child?  Kids are often very used to routine.  During the holidays, routines tend to be disrupted.  Bedtimes go out the window, typical meals are swapped for different foods, and kids might be sensitive to the stress that occurs between family members.  While things might appear peaceful in photos, we all know it might take 35 times to get the right shot and a lot of arguing in between.  There are definitely ways to have an enjoyable holiday and to make it memorable and a time of growth and bonding for the entire family.  Often it is the small things that lead to cherished memories and can also actually help a child learn some news skills and expand their language.  Here are some tips to make it the most wonderful time of the year.

1.  Be Kind To Yourself

Kids can sense stress and anxiety in their caregivers and in turn might act out.  They don’t understand how much work goes into creating the ‘perfect’ holiday.  And it doesn’t need to be ‘picture perfect’ for a holiday to be perfect.  Prioritize what is important and take the time for some self-care, whatever that may entail.  Maybe it means taking a nap when your toddler takes a nap.  It might mean cutting back on the scheduled activities, but reducing your own stress will in turn make those moments with your child more memorable.  A calm parent will lead to a calm child.

2.  Maintain a Routine

Kids often feel out of sorts when everything changes.  They are creatures of habit so when everything changes even if for only a few days, a child can have difficulty adjusting.  Especially if there are family visiting or if traveling to another home.  New people and new places can be overwhelming, so maintaining some semblance of a child’s typical routine can reduce stress for a child and for an overworked parent.  By sticking to the same bedtime routine, a child will be well rested and more able to deal with all the new experiences.  If traveling, make sure to pack a few of your child’s favorite toys, snacks or books.  Bringing a few cherished items from home can make a new environment easier to adjust to.

3. Be Mindful of What They’re Eating

Who isn’t guilty of overeating and indulging at the holidays?  While it is a time to treat ourselves, for many kids who prefer nothing but chicken nuggets and french fries, this can be a difficult time.  Many kids struggle to try new foods and may have a limited repertoire of go to foods.  And for many caregivers, it might be easier to just give in and let a child eat nothing but fast food and sweets rather than battling with a toddler. 

But perhaps take this as an opportunity to introduce new foods while maintaining their typical diet.  For a picky toddler, new textures and tastes might be challenging.  Remember it can take nearly 20 times for a child to accept a new food.  Offer small portions of new foods.  Take the time to describe the food, demonstrate eating them and allow the child to explore.  The holidays can be a perfect time for them to observe family eating new foods they might normally refuse.  By providing a positive model, a child might just be become a little braver about their food choices!

4.  Keep Kids Active

As adults, many of us crave just relaxing and indulging in some holiday television.  But for children, this much downtime can lead to frustration and boredom.  Kids need time to play.  Make sure to build time into their holiday to run around outside.  Maybe it is taking a walk to see all the houses and buildings decorated and asking your child to describe what they see, “Wow that tree is lit up with red lights!  Do you see it?”  It’s another simple opportunity to expand a child’s language.  And it will help to decrease their stress and make sticking to those bedtimes easier.

5.  Make Lasting Memories Together

In the rush to make things perfect, we often forget to take time to actually enjoy the holidays.  For many, this means scheduling every minute of the break.  But make sure to block some time off to experience things with your little one.  Maybe they can help to bake cookies.  Not only will could it become a holiday tradition, but it is an opportunity to work on language and following directions.  For example, with a toddler, they’re able to ‘mix’ or ‘stir the cookie dough’, adding new words to their vocabulary and getting involved in the preparation.  What might feel like a tedious task for an adult could be an exciting new activity for a child. These holiday rituals can become part of their annual routine and will give them something to look forward to each year.

6.  Designated Quiet Spot

Just like adults need some time to get away from being overwhelmed, so do little ones.  For some, this holiday season might be the first time they’ve gathered with extended family and friends.  It can be sensory overload for many children.  Unfamiliar faces, places, and sounds can lead often lead to a tantrum.  A place in the home where your child can get away and have some downtime is really important.  Even if you’re visiting family, finding a corner where they can sit with a few of their toys and have some alone time will help them to recharge and may decrease those frustrated tantrums when it gets too loud or crowded for a kid. 

7.  Giving Back

It is never too early to get kids involved in helping others.  Maybe it is helping shovel the snow from a neighbor’s driveway or bringing an elderly neighbor some of the cookies that you baked together.  It is never too early to instill the idea of generosity, especially during the holidays and can help a small child to understand the importance of sharing.

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