It’s that time of year again! Christmas is just two weeks away and we just had our first snowfall of the season; it is such a beautiful and exciting time. This is a perfect time for families to come together to share in some wintertime holiday activities. I have a few suggestions that will not only be fun and family-oriented but will also enrich your child’s developmental skills: following directions, making choices, sequencing, fine motor, math, planning, explaining, .and perspective-taking. Happy holidays and merry Christmas!
- Go gift-shopping: Enlist your children's help in selecting gifts for their teachers, family and friends.
- Wrap presents: Set up a gift-wrapping station with the necessary items such as paper, bows, ribbons, tape, and gift labels. Make it even more fun by having your child create their own wrapping paper. It is very simple; buy plain wrapping paper, markers, crayons, or colored pencils and let the creativity flow! You can also use washable paint and have the children make Christmas trees and reindeer with their hand and foot prints.
http://www.pinkieforpink.com/2012/11/kids-christmas-art-projects.html?spref=pi
- Decorate a gingerbread house: You can buy the kits at most grocery stores, Target, Rite Aid, CVS and Amazon. While you are decorating, create a story about the gingerbread family that lives there. For the experienced bakers, you can make your own gingerbread from scratch. There are many ways to make a gingerbread house; I once used graham crackers as the base of the house.
- Make gifts: This can be a fun challenge to do together. Consider making some homemade hot cocoa in a jar with all the fixings and printed labels.
https://www.mom4real.com/homemade-hot-cocoa-recipe-with-printable-chalkboard-labels/
- Decorate a critter Christmas tree: You will need to go outside for this one. Place a mini tree in your yard and decorate it with mini edible ornaments for birds. Sharon Lovejoy is the author of 10 books containing creative projects for kids. I found a wonderful idea of hers in the December 18th Woman’s World magazine. “Decorate a small potted conifer or rosemary tree with berries, pinecones dipped in peanut butter and bird seed and tasty dried flowers, such as Echinacea and sunflowers,” says Lovejoy.
- Bake with your children: If you are strapped for time - and who isn't this time of year - you can find some very easy recipes on the Betty Crocker website.
https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/easy-reindeer-cookies/1aa522fd-27c1-4fcd-a033-a9700d0138b4#!
- Put together a holiday jigsaw puzzle: This is a perfect activity for families to do at their own leisure. Set up the puzzle pieces on a designated table and work on the puzzle throughout the holiday season.
Most importantly, enjoy the gift of each other this holiday season.
Theresa Wylie, MS, CCC/SLP