Teachable Holidays
The holidays are not just about presents and toys! It’s an excellent opportunity to build relationships (read more in Raising Brains, pg 72) and promote brain development too! I know, leave it to this “brain geek” to turn EVERYTHING into a brain growth moment, but it’s true!
With the sugar rush, changes to the regular schedules, and overstimulation caused by being around more people and new toys, meltdowns are bound to happen. But let me tell you, this environment is ripe for practicing our control, social, and emotional skills!
So let’s talk about working those brain skills while you prepare for the holidays. Simply use this method to help you get through the holidays (or anytime you want to practice control as well as social and emotional skills): PRE-PAIR
P - PONDER
Ask your kids questions! Asking questions forces them to use their brains to problem solve and make those neural connections. Examples: What do you think grandma will ask you when she comes over? What are some things we can say to our guests? What if plans change? What does it look like to sit politely at the table? If you feel uncomfortable, what’s the best way to express that?
R - REVIEW
Review the plan with your kids. This lowers anxiety (Amy G chills out) and frees up their brain to think (Fronnie to the rescue)! Prepare them for what you expect of them and what they should expect for the day. Talk about a plan for what they should do if they don’t know what to do or feel unhappy.
E - EXCITE
Build enthusiasm. Get excited about the food, the friends, the family, and the fun. A positive attitude brings out the happy chemicals in the brain and gets rid of stress hormones, giving your child more brainpower to work with! When kids are happy and excited, they want to learn.
PAIR – Pair the holiday with something fun
This helps your child’s brain connect the holidays to something positive. For example,
Pair your child with a cousin or friend around their age
Pair the holidays with a fun craft or game that will keep your child busy.
Before you go, here’s a reminder for you to slow down, check-in with yourself, and ask yourself some key questions:
What are my priorities?
How do I want to feel during the holidays?
How do I want my family to feel during the holidays?
After all, you wouldn’t want your kids’ memories of the holidays to be of you in mom-zilla mode now, do you? Now, go on and have a merry and bright holiday season!