Parents' Corner

Make the Most of Your Children’s Winter Break

Posted by David Smith on Wed, Dec 09, 2020 @ 06:30 PM

make-most-of-winter-break“Let’s just get this out of the way: Don’t feel guilty.” (Washington Post)

In a typical year, you might have planned all kinds of activities for your children during their winter break. This year, though, you’ll likely have to make significant tweaks — but, as the Washington Post notes in a post about keeping kids active during the winter of COVID, there’s no reason to feel guilty about the changes in plans you’ve had to make. In fact, your children can still enjoy plenty of fun and healthy activities over their winter break from school.

Incorporate Movement into the Day

An expert quoted in the article suggests that parents create a grab jar, with exercise moves written on pieces of paper and placed in the jar. One slip of paper might read “20 jumping jacks.” Or children can help to fold towels, jumping high after folding a certain number of them. As another idea, you can ask your children to search the house for things that start with a certain letter and then bring them back to you. The fastest child wins.

Get Outside

If the weather allows, bundle your kids up for a walk around your neighborhood or to build a snowman, make snow angels, or otherwise enjoy the winter weather in your own yard. If they are reluctant, you can tell them there will be hot chocolate when they come back in. If you’ve got a bit of extra time, then this Candy Cane Hot Chocolate recipe looks pretty delicious!

Reconsider Screen Time

Pre-COVID, experts would share tips on limiting screen time for children—and, although there are still plenty of merits to this idea, the winter break of 2020-2021 might be a time to ease up. You might, for example, let your children watch more age-appropriate programming or enjoy more age-appropriate online games than you normally might. You may decide to set up more video calls for your children to connect with friends and family, and otherwise benefit from technology. Allowing more screen time, though, doesn’t mean going all-in. For some children, it may still be beneficial to limit the amount of TV that they watch.

Ask your children to read something daily. Children of all ages can color, draw and work on other creative projects at least once a day.

Armchair Travel 

This is a great time to see the world — from the comforts of home. (This might be another time to whip up some of that Candy Cane Hot Chocolate!) You can travel the world together through National Geographic/National Geographic Kids or Global Trek, enjoy online visits to museums and zoos, and see the world’s art, up close and personal.

Rethink Sleep

Many people (children and adults) in our modern world need more sleep. If your kids do not get up at their regular time, allow them to sleep.

Get Help in the Kitchen

If your schedule allows, you can have your kids help you prepare lunch or dinner. Work with dishes that are kid-friendly, like homemade pizzas.

Horizon Education Centers: Here to Help

Even during these challenging times, the staff at Horizon provide children with enriching educational programming and recreational activities. We take our responsibilities as quality child care providers very seriously — and here’s more about how we’re keeping kids safe during COVID.

Here’s more information about our child care programs, from infant care to school-aged care. Check out the location that would work best for you and verify that the program you need is available in that childcare center.

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Topics: Activities for Children

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