Five Handy Tips for Managing Special Occasions with Young Children
# 1- Keep Anticipation to a Minimum.
Contrary to popular belief, young children do not benefit from lengthy preparation for new, or even familiar events. This is because young children are such concrete thinkers, who live in the moment, and who do not have a well-developed sense of time.
Once something is mentioned they will expect immediate results, and keeping that pent up excitement at bay can be exhausting. To help your child, whether they talk or not, from becoming cranky and impatient, avoid talking about the event too far in advance and when you do talk about it, keep maintain a low key attitude.
Modulate your excitement, as children are easily overwhelmed by our emotions. Instead of being able to share the excitement at a normal level, they often become overly excited riding the wave of energy around them, and with no easy way for them to settle themselves down.
#2- Keep it Simple
It is always good practice to give yourself permission to choose the types of family activities which have fewer stress factors- whatever those may be for you and your family.
During preparations, make sure to stay focused on the here and now. Minimize the impact on the day-to-day schedule.
Keep routines familiar and maintain behavior norms. Children function better when they know what to expect and when they know what is expected of them. Consistency is key. When we become permissive, or expect less of the child, for whatever reason, (such as when they are sick, when we’re in a rush, or when “giving in” is an easy solution), the child will become less capable, more dependent on us, and with the tendency to behave in more demanding or needy ways.
And don’t forget! We all do better when we are well rested, eating healthy and staying hydrated.
#3- Move it! Move it! Move it!
If possible, provide some large motor activities before the child is confined to a car seat or expected to sit for long periods of time. I know one family who has a dance party before they get into the car for a long ride. Once confined, find ways to take breaks (this can be beneficial to everyone!) or ways to enable the child to move around while sitting. For example, play lively music that invites clapping, swinging/shaking the arms, or bobbing the head. Upon arrival, if possible, spend some time outdoors to help counter the time spent cooped up.
During virtual visits with friends or family, create opportunities to be active together: Dance party, or freeze dance games, play charades, act out a story, enjoy yoga, bounce soft balls, wave scarves, clap and stomp patterns, mirror each other’s movements, etc!
Help children to participate in home life. Keep them invested and involved. The simplest daily tasks are fun for young children, such as washing the table with a soapy sponge, putting things in the recycle bin or trash, feeding pets, straightening shoes, folding laundry, even running the vacuum can keep young children happily and meaningfully occupied.
#4- Photo Books and Busy Bags.
Mini Photo Book. Fill a mini photo album with the photos of familiar people, pets, places and things that are important to both your immediate family, and those you’ll be visiting. This book will be a point of interest to the child, and help the child to feel connected as they are able to first recognize and then name these special people, pets and places.
#5- Communicate with Family & Friends
Ask other adults who are involved (in the special occasion) for their help with your intentions for managing the excitement to ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves.
If it’s an event with gifts, you may consider offering gift suggestions to friends and family which meet your child’s interests. (*See below) If you are interested in limiting the number of gifts your child receives, you could invite adults to chip in on gifts, or ask them to make a monetary or material donation to a local organization that your family supports. For example, there’s one family I know who, in lieu of overwhelming the child with too many gifts, asks for picture books which are then donated to the local library.
*BONUS TIP- Meaningful Gift Ideas for Toddlers & Preschool age children
I receive no compensation for these recommendations.
Barefoot Books Check out their audio books and cardboard book selections. (Cardboard books are perfect for toddlers to manage independently!)
For Small Hands A Montessori-based company, offering an assortment of materials used for real life experiences, as well as activities and toys for toddlers.
Beginner’s Hammering Kit (safety precautions apply)
I HOPE THESE TIPS WERE HELPFUL. DO LET ME KNOW.
EVERY FAMILY IS UNIQUE. I’D LOVE TO HELP YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY TO BETTER
UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF CHILDHOOD