It’s always real gearing up for the holidays with little ones (both big and small!). We wanted to share some tips and resources that can help set the family up for success during the season.
1. Bring the kiddos in on the fun!
We often forget that children are capable humans who want to do meaningful work and contribute to their surroundings. It’s what the Montessori approach is all about and you can weave it in at home! Having your children participate in the holiday mayhem does require a little extra planning, giving projects a little more time, and giving up on some perfectionism but it can limit challenging behaviors, increase your child’s confidence, and create priceless moments of connection. Check out this past blog post for age-specific ideas of how to include your student into the holiday fun.
2. go easy
We talk a lot about how important schedule and routine are for all humans, but especially the small ones who haven’t built up the same immunity to chaos as we adults have. While the holidays can be a time for special connection, love, and family, they also disrupt the daily routine and can introduce relational dynamics that can feel really sticky for many families. Whether you’re traveling or staying home, try to build in down time during the holiday breaks to make room for some of the emotions that can come up from the shift in routine. Maybe this just means getting to sleep in one morning, or taking a break from seeing family for an afternoon, maybe it means only making 2 pies instead of 4. Wherever you can fit it in, give yourself and your kiddos permission to ease up on the plans and have some time for unstructured connection.
3. get curious about traditions
The Montessori approach aims to share age-appropriate and accurate information for all students. Get curious this holiday season as questions arise around your family traditions and the reasons for the seasons. One great way to start practicing this (it can be harder than you think!) is to start learning about your family heritage and seasonal traditions. Where do your ancestors come from? What are some celebrations from that region or community? In what ways can you weave in those threads into what you do with your family today? There are so many rich and beautiful ways that humans across time and geography have created special moments to reflect on gratitude, pay attention to the passing of time, and to make space to honor our relationships to one another.
4. stay connected
We live in a land rich in history, community, and natural beauty. Take a tour of the Poeh Cultural Center, meet up with other families to go for a hike, support local artisans at one of Santa Fe’s many holiday fairs (our is on 12/2 from 10am-1pm). Whether you’ve been here all your life or only just moved to town, there’s always something to learn and something to explore in our amazing corner of the world.