Keeping kids engaged over the Christmas break will set them up for success upon their return to school.
That’s according to Putnam Schools Clinical Social Worker Molly Heist. She said that the biggest mistake parents make is straying too far from a regular routine.
“You know when we have two weeks off, it’s kind of easy to get out of that routine,” Heist said. “And you’ll find that if you do break that routine, it’s tougher for the next couple of weeks getting back into that.”
Heist said that using games like Monopoly or puzzle-making can keep kids engaged in learning in a fun way. She said that those types of games incorporate basic math, reasoning, and patience.
Heist said that the break offers a chance for kids to work on practicing mindfulness. She said that mindfulness is a practice of being present.
“There’s a lot of YouTube videos out there and they tailor them to ages,” Heist said. “You’ll have kind of a guided mindfulness meditation YouTube video and sometimes they’re short, 2-3 minutes. It’s just kind of getting centered, doing some deep breathing, is all part of calming that mind down, and it really gives you a brain break.”
Heist said that another good practice is to involve your children in activities over the break. She said that whether it’s family time or mealtime, spending time with them and incorporating them into your activities can help them as they transition back into the second half of the school year.
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