Even though we just came back from Thanksgiving break, the Winter holiday is right around the corner. There are few weeks that are more exciting for children than the ones between Thanksgiving and Christmas! Families are busy making plans and working on endless “to-do” lists, so there is an energy in the air that swings back and forth between excitement and feeling frantic. Naturally, that energy bubbles over into the classroom.

Educators work hard to make learning fun, especially at the younger levels. Instilling a sense of fun and joy around the classroom during elementary school can set the tone for middle and high school. Around the holidays, it’s a particular challenge to maintain the right balance between academics and celebration, but our teachers manage well.

We know that it’s tempting to extend your time off during the holiday season and miss a few more days of school. Please consider the very limited time we have to teach the content that will keep your child performing at or above grade level. Every moment in the school schedule is maximized and structured. This includes celebrations and fun times that are necessary for learning young minds. For students, experiencing these moments with their classmates helps foster that sense of fun and balance that makes school enjoyable.

Missing school between and around the holidays comes with a triple whammy. Students can miss out on what’s known as “first best instruction,” then have time off where some learning is forgotten, and then miss “reteaching” when students return to school and have a quick recap of where they left off before the break. Since much of education builds on itself, missing those chunks of learning can cause your child to feel overwhelmed as they try to catch up while keeping up.

To continue your child's learning journey over the holidays, plan activities during the break that can help your child remain in an active learning mindset. They should be inexpensive activities that can enrich your relationship with your child as you complete them together.

Reading during break is probably the single most important activity your child can do. Be intentional and have books available. Consider creating a reading challenge for the break. It could be reading a certain number of pages, chapters, or books, depending on your child’s age. Make sure the goal is achievable and includes an award to celebrate their dedication.

Arts and crafts are great activities that engage the brain and foster creative decision-making. Whether they’re preparing decorations or gifts, arts and crafts can sustain your child’s interest and have an inherent reward – the satisfaction of contributing to the decor or the appreciation they receive from giving a gift.

Cooking and baking together is a natural way to bond with your children while teaching them about reading, math, and science. They can help read recipes, measure ingredients, adjust for recipe size, and see how ingredients transform and combine through the application of heat in all its various forms.

Journaling and creative writing are great activities for pre-teens and teens who are going through physical and emotional changes. They can write about their daily experiences and create short stories, poems, or songs. They may even create the unique holiday story of their family. Any amount of writing and creative expression improves their skills and creativity.

The greatest gift we give our children is their education. It hands them the keys to their future and prepares them to navigate the world in the direction of their interests and passions. Help them make the most of this gift by ensuring that they attend school, especially around the holidays, stay mentally engaged during the break, and return to school with renewed energy for learning.