Early Learner News: November/December 2022 Surviving and Enjoying the Holiday's with Young Children Embrace the Chaos

Baby's First Christmas

If you have a young baby this Holiday Season you need to decide what you can handle and remember things will be different. You won’t have the same energy and you will need to care for your baby. You will probably also need a nap during your family gathering… maybe two! Communicate your needs with your partner or family. In fact, allow your friends and family to help brainstorm some ideas for coping. Does going to a family gathering seem overwhelming? Are you up for travel? Would you rather have friends or family come to your home? Take some time to reflect and discuss this before you make your plans. In addition, make sure that your family knows that your plans are always subject to change. Surviving the holidays with a newborn is easier if everyone has reasonable expectations. Prep yourself for common pitfalls so you can avoid them or overcome them. Then, enjoy the holidays to the fullest. Holiday travel can be nerve-racking enough, but when you add in a young infant and it pays to be prepared! If you plan to travel with your baby check out this article for tips on traveling over the Holiday's with your baby. ©Early Childhood Connections 20

Handling the Blissful Chaos of the Holiday Season

Our expectations don't always meet with reality during the Holidays. The discrepancy between our expectations and reality can leave us disappointed and not exactly filled with the holiday spirit. So do yourself a favor: Paint a different picture with your expectations. Plan for a little chaos. When we expect the unexpected, we’re less likely to feel disappointed when someone takes a bite of the gingerbread house or decides to unwrap a present early or melts down at the holiday parade. During the Holiday's the disruption to routine can be particularly difficult for children who depend on routine and predictability to engage in appropriate behavior. The following tips will help ensure that the holiday season is enjoyable for you and your child. For parents whose children have severe food allergies, it can be very challenging to manage food allergies during the holidays. Check out these tips to help: How to Manage Your Child's Food Allergies During the Holidays The most important thing for divorced parents to remember is that the holidays are about their children, not them. Even if you are unable to be with your children during a holiday, encourage them to enjoy themselves with the other parent and their extended family. For more tips: How Divorced Parents Can Help Their Child Survive the Holidays The following Thanksgiving themed gross motor ideas are fun ways to incorporate movement and exercise as part of your Thanksgiving!  The Boys & Girls Club of America collected 10 family holiday-themed games to help you get moving, get silly, show off your smarts, and more! These fun games for people of all ages are also great at helping guests and visitors feel included, so try one out during your next holiday get-together, party, meal, or snow day stuck at home.

The Greatest Gift is A Passion for Reading The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Dr. Suess Dream Storm by Eric Carle Create a Dream Storm Suncatcher to go with this book! Five Little Thank Yous by Cindy Jin I am Thankful by Sheri Wall  6 simple and inspiring activities to teach thankfulness What Do You Celebrate? by Whitney Stewart A World of Cookies for Santa by M.E. Furman Check out more information about the author, cookie recipes and traditions.

imagination BOOK STOP For lesson plan ideas around books families receive from the Imagination Library go to Black Hills Reads Resources. Each Book Stop features information about the book, discussion ideas and activities.