Scheduled breaks during the school year give some parents and caregivers a chance to kick back and relax while spending quality time with their kids without sticking to a strict daily plan. However, as most caregivers at a preschool in North Potomac, MD, can tell you even during these breaks you want to create some kind of schedule.
Kids might really enjoy the holiday season, but all the fun activities and plans can throw a bit of a wrench into the usual family routines. Family coming to visit, traveling out of state to see other family, and the break from their normal daily routine of school can drastically affect your child’s holiday season.
Holiday breaks sometimes feel chaotic because of the sudden break in routine. Daily routines make children feel safe and secure as children know what to expect. But, when school breaks for the holidays, daily routines are in jeopardy. Kids beg to stay up later, sleep in longer, play video games, and the list goes on. To ensure your child truly enjoys their holiday break and is able to get right back into the swing of things once it’s over, establishing a holiday routine is important.
Even though a short break in routine for the holiday season isn’t likely to cause any lasting issues, sudden changes can still make them feel overwhelmed and out of sorts. Drastic changes to your child’s routine is touch on your kid and leads to challenges like bedtime whining or meltdowns when you’re out and about.
That’s why, when possible, families should keep their usual routine, even while having a great time during the holidays.
The holiday season will bring some changes to your family’s routine, it’s not something that anybody can escape from. Kids who go to school or preschool are definitely going to enjoy some time off! During the holidays, parents often want to ease up on the rules and expectations, including bed and meal times. How can you include changes like school breaks and travel while keeping the routine intact?
With more free time during the holidays, people often spend more time in front of a computer. You don’t have to keep your kids away from screens all day; it’s okay for them to enjoy a little extra. It is important for you as a parent to take care of yourself even during the holidays. Sometimes, a little extra screen time for kids is the best way for parents to get some much-needed time alone.
But spending a lot of time in front of a screen can cause problems with control, such as restlessness, sleep problems, irritability, or appearing distant or distant. If you set parental controls on your TVs, tablets, and other electronics, your child will spend less time staring at a screen during the break. Two hours of computer time a day is a good rule of thumb.
Your family customs give your child a sense of stability and continuity, which is very important. No two families have the same holiday traditions, as it’s your family traditions that make your holiday celebrations special. During the holiday beaks families often find themselves honoring old customs while also embracing new ones. All of these factors might make your youngster feel safe and comfortable during the hectic Christmas season.
When the holidays come around, their daily routine changes, but for you, the holidays are just part of the yearly routine. While these routine changes are harder on young children, even older kids struggle over the holiday break.
Talking about when important things will happen can help. Stickers and a wall schedule can help you remember important dates, like when Grandma is coming over, when you’ll put up the lights, etc. You can also talk about these holiday traditions from past years with your kids while you ask them what they’re looking forward to this year.
During the holidays and winter break, keep your kids from sleeping in too much or going to bed too late. Going to bed and getting up at about the same time every day is one of the best ways to ensure your child is getting enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep each day can actually harm your child’s growth and development. Kids can fall asleep more easily at night when they have a routine. Predictability gives kids a sense of calmness. Kids who know their plans also whine less and are less likely to fight going to bed.
Eating at the same time every day minimizes the likelihood of youngsters being “hangry” or experiencing hunger-related irritation. Make sure your children have a healthy breakfast every day, as it will help them concentrate and stay energetic throughout the day. During dinnertime, serve minimal portions and encourage your child to stop eating when they are full, even if there is still food on their plate. Many of us grew up being instructed to “clean our plate,” yet this is not the healthiest eating habit! The holidays provide plenty of opportunities to overeat and indulge in sugary delicacies. Do your best to be moderate, and urge your children to do the same.
During the holiday break, caregivers from a preschool in Potomac, MD, say your children may become restless or angry because they are cooped up all day instead of attending school and engaging with their teachers and peers. It is good to plan some activities to keep your children intellectually and physically active. To keep kids entertained at home while you work or entertain family members, you should stock up on games, crafts, puzzles, and other activities.
A few days before school starts back up again, you want to get your kids ready to jump back into their usual routine. If the schedule shifted during the break, try getting back into your usual bedtime routine. If your mealtime schedules have shifted, it’s a good idea to start easing back into your old routine, too.
Holiday breaks are an excellent time for celebration, but they can sometimes come with a bit of stress and high expectations. Creating a routine for your family that blends structure with a bit of flexibility while also keeping your own expectations in check about how the holidays should unfold can lead to a more joyful and relaxed holiday season this year.
MCCA has been recognized by the Maryland State Legislature for its commitment to Montgomery County issued a quality programs and special needs child care Proclamation in 2016 to MCCA for its commitment to Montgomery County child care for more than 50 years. MCCA was also selected as a 2018 nonprofit finalist for a MOXIE Award for boldness and innovation
MCCA is the oldest nonprofit licensed child care provider in Montgomery County and started its work in 1968 as a Community Action Project of the War on Poverty. Recognizing the need for quality child care programs in their neighborhoods, a group of local activists formed an association to establish centers in Montgomery County that would serve a diverse population and establish high standards for child care. Now, more than 50 years later, MCCA’s dedicated and expertly trained staff continue their tradition of providing high quality child care and play-based education for children.
Families with school aged children who can afford their child care expenses during the school year often struggle to afford the all-day programs they need when school is out for the summer. The Richard Krampf Summer Adventures Scholarship Fund was established to help provide children a safe and stimulating place to spend their weeks when school is out. Please contact an MCCA Director for details on how to apply.