Thanksgiving kicks off a busy time of year, and the pace of family life often begins to pick up during the holiday season. Parenting a preschooler is never easy, and during the holidays parents also have to navigate changing schedules, extended family dynamics, and heightened expectations. There are so many activities and ways to celebrate throughout the winter that every day could be jam-packed with events and gatherings and extra treats. Remember that you don’t have to do it all. Give yourself permission to prioritize your own peace of mind and say no to some invitations or cut back on events this year. Encourage grandparents and extended family to join some of your normal routines, rather than adding too many extra events to your child’s days. Amid all the fun, try to balance your family’s needs and abilities with outside expectations, and maintain your own equilibrium.
For your preschooler it can be helpful to preview what to expect during upcoming events. Talk things over ahead of time, read books, and even share stories from your own childhood. Use stuffies or toys to play with them about, or act out, challenges they’ll face, like taking turns with cousins, saying hello to new people, trying new foods at an unfamiliar table. Bring along one or two familiar and favorite things, when you can, and remind them of what will stay the same, to offer them slices of regular life while they face so much novelty.
Many kids can adjust to a few changes in their schedule, but multiple weeks of travel, missing naps, and spending time with extra people can stir up a lot of big feelings. The tension of waiting, anticipating unknowns, even the excitement of fun activities can build until kids have a hard time regulating their emotions. If you find your child is quick to tears, becomes extra demanding or bothered by things they usually take in stride, they may be overwhelmed. In those moments it can help to find time and space for active play, or for a quiet snuggle and story. Find ways to take a break away from the hubbub, and get a bit of a reset for you and your child.
At school we notice a buzz in the air this time of year, too, so we like to maintain the schedule and routines children have come to rely on in the classroom. The calm consistency of school can be a real buffer for kids amid the busyness of the holiday season, and offer them a place to process their experiences. At this time of year, kids often play about travel, family meals or gift giving, and talk about the different ways their families are celebrating. Rather than focusing on any one holiday, or the reasons for celebrating, in the classroom we often focus on the commonalities, like gathering with loved ones and sharing a meal together. For young children, these are some of the most tangible and memorable parts of any holiday.
Whether you gather at a small or large table, at home or away, I hope you find some lovely moments of connection with your child, and entire family, this holiday season.
-Anita
Anita Speck, Park West Co-Op Preschool Teachers and Early Learning Specialist, wrote this post.
You can schedule a visit with Park West Co-Op to learn how your child can enjoy a joyful learning environment while being nurtured to discover, connect and be curious about the world around them.
Park West Co-Op is a play-based preschool located on Chicago’s near Northside in the heart of Lincoln Park. Park West is a diverse group of teachers who are experts in early childhood education. We've dedicated ourselves to understanding and developing teaching methods that cater to each child's individual needs so they can grow in a positive way. Teachers work hand in hand with the parent run Co-Op and offer robust hands on parent education in the classroom.