Making the Holiday’s Relaxing

Taking your baby to visit her grandparents over the holidays can be a wonderful experience, and seeing your toddler running around laughing and playing with his cousins after a holiday meal is always heartwarming. But changes in surroundings, long periods of travel, and interruptions in diet and schedule can be hard on young children.
The holidays are a wonderful time for families, but all the extra shopping, entertaining, decorating and visiting can add up to a lot of stress.
It’s important for everyone in the family to take some time to relax. Invest in Kids_ Comfort, Play & Teach: A Positive Approach to Parenting* Festive Winter Guide can be a good resource to help parents make the holidays fun and less stressful for every member of the family:
Comfort Your Child
Create quiet times with your preschooler where you can sip hot chocolate or cider together and chat about the different things that are happening. This gives him a chance to share ideas, ask questions and learn about traditions and celebrations that are important to his family.
Play some of your favourite winter music and dance with your baby or toddler. You can hold your child close and enjoy moving together with the music.
Make a tranquil holiday song into a relaxing lullaby for your baby.
Play With Your Child
Play in the snow with your preschooler. She will enjoy spending this special time with you as you make snow angels, build a snowman or put out pinecone feeders for squirrels and birds.
Loosely wrap some of your infant or toddler’s toys in tissue so that they can remove the paper and get new enjoyment out of their favourite toys. They will be strengthening their fine motor skills as they play this fun “peek-a-boo” game.
Cut out snowflake shapes from stiff paper and encourage your infant or toddler to finger paint designs on them. This is a wonderful sensory activity.

Teach Your Child
Be sure to talk to your baby or toddler about everything that you are doing. Describe the ingredients you are cooking with and what is happening as you shop. She may not understand every word, but your tone will communicate volumes.
Include your preschooler in holiday cooking. He can be quite a capable helper in the kitchen as you share the job of cooking or baking.
Make time together to talk about your holiday festivities. Sing favourite songs and look at photo albums of past holiday celebrations. Infants and toddlers may not understand all that you are telling them, but they will love to hear your voice and listen to stories about their family and special traditions.

• For more tips check out the Festive Winter Guide at www.investinkids.ca/winter.