5 Holiday Tips For Your Complex Learner
With so many of us still feeling like the school year just started, it’s hard to believe the holiday season is already upon us! This year, while we will continue to take COVID-19 health and safety precautions, many families will be returning to their traditional celebrations and gatherings. While the hustle and bustle of the holidays might be a welcome return for you, many Complex Learners struggle this time of year. Social commitments, a busy schedule, differing bedtimes, an influx of sugary treats, and more can all wreak havoc on your child.
But there’s plenty you can do to ensure the whole family stays holly and jolly this holiday season! Check out 5 tips below to make the holidays easier for you and your Complex Learner.
1. Structure
As any parent of a Complex Learner will know, kids with learning differences thrive when given structure. While Winter Break and the holidays are notoriously known as a time for no alarm clocks, late nights, and busy days – to ensure a successful holiday season, you can’t forgo structure!
Make a family calendar so your child is aware when there are commitments and events coming up. Try to stick to a consistent wake up time and bedtime as much as you can. While there are sure to be adjustments, it’s always better for Complex Learners to stay consistent and ensure they’re getting enough sleep! Structure also extends to holiday events. Be sure to give your child repeated advanced verbal notice of events. This heads-up can do wonders for your child as they work on processing the information and preparing themselves (i.e., going for a walk before you leave for family dinner to get some movement in, packing their sensory bag before attending a holiday concert, etc.). As you’re heading to an event, let your child know what the event will look like. Will there be an hour of mingling before it’s time to eat? What time will you be leaving? Where can your child go if they need a break? What house rules are you expecting your child to follow?
2. Rest & Recharge
While it can be so exciting to get back to your traditional holiday celebrations after a year of virtual gatherings and postponed parties, it can also be overwhelming. And not just for your Complex Learner, but for the whole family.
Don’t be afraid to take time this Winter Break to do absolutely nothing. Building in time for both you and your child to rest and recharge is just as important as those family get-togethers and social outings. The past year and a half have been challenging on all of us mentally and emotionally. It’s okay to schedule a block in your day to just have some free time. Feel free to pick and choose your holiday events. While you might be invited to an outing each weekend, does that really make sense for your child and your family? If you know your child gets burned out easily, take that into consideration when RSVP’ing.
3. Rehearse
When your child struggles with social cues and self-control, the increase in social interactions this holiday season can feel overwhelming and lead to meltdowns. To help your child know what to expect this holiday season and to help them prepare, it can be helpful to practice s and rehearse social situations.
Act out a social interaction with your child. Do they know how to politely excuse themselves when they need to take a break? What are some questions they can ask their cousins at the dinner table? What are some expected behaviors? Have your child practice giving you a gift as you prepare for the annual family gift exchange. Remind them to not tell the recipient what the gift is no matter how exciting it might be. Then when it’s their turn, encourage your child to demonstrate patience as they wait for their own chance to open their gift. Be sure to practice the appropriate response after receiving a gift, regardless of what that gift was.
4. Involve Your Child
For children, it can get frustrating and overwhelming when they feel like they have no say in the activities they’re participating in or the events they’re going to. One of the easiest ways to get your child invested in activities this holiday season is to get them involved.
Whether it’s having your child make a homemade gift to give to grandma or putting them in charge of music during cookie decorating, there are plenty of ways to make your child feel valuable and invested during the holidays. Welcome their feedback. Is there a special holiday movie they want to add to the lineup for the family this year? Can they be in charge of retrieving coats as guests are leaving? If an event is being held at your house, can your child help create a quiet space and then show guests where it is and how to use it (headphones for white noise, sensory sand to calm down, etc.)?
5. Give Back
One of the most important ways to ensure you and your family have a meaningful and enjoyable holiday season is to remind your Complex Learner (and yourself!) about the real meaning of the season – giving back.
This time of year, the ways to give back are plentiful. Have your child pick out old toys still in good condition to donate. As a family, make homemade holiday cards for nursing home residents or hospital patients. Collect canned goods for a local pantry. Participate in a “Adopt A Family” or Giving Tree to help make the holidays better for those less fortunate. While it’s easy to get caught up in the madness of the holiday season, by making time to give back you’re helping teach your child what’s really important this holiday season.
The holidays are a special time of year and when you take the steps to ensure your child is prepared and prepped – it helps ensure that this time of year is also joyful for everyone! Do you have any holiday tips you’d share with other parents of Complex Learners? Drop them in the comment section below!
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