The holidays can be magical—but they can also be a lot. New environments, visitors, crazy schedules, late nights, different foods, extra excitement… It’s a lot for the little learners in our lives. And when little communicators feel holiday stress, their language and behavior can will reflect that.
Here’s the good news: simple, everyday moments can be powerful opportunities to build language and communication skills while reducing holiday stress.
Reduce Holiday Stress:
1. Keep a Few Routines Consistent
Without a doubt, routines help toddlers feel safe and settled—especially when everything else feels new or unpredictable. Holiday plans rarely remain perfect, but keeping a few anchor moments in place (like mealtime, nighttime routines, or even a consistent book before bed) can make a big difference.
These moments are also great for modeling short, simple language that repeats each day:
- “Time to eat.”
- “Bath time.”
- “Brush teeth.”
Consistency helps little ones anticipate routines [reducing behaviors] and build communication skills.
2. Involve little learners in Holiday Preparations
From cooking to decorating and wrapping presents, the holidays are full of hands-on activities—and children love being included.
Simple involvement might look like:
- Putting napkins on the table
- Stirring cookie batter
- Handing someone a bow
- Choosing between two decorations
- While little ones help, adults can:
- Label items: bow, cookie, star, lights
- Describe actions: mix, roll, put, carry
- Count objects together
A point often overlooked in building language and functional communication is that real-life involvement makes them more meaningful.
3. Create a Calm Corner
Holiday environments can be overwhelming—bright lights, crowds, noise, excitement, late nights, new places… It’s a lot.
A small or cozy space for a break can help little ones reset. It could be:
- A comfy chair with soft toys
- A basket of books in a quiet space in the home
- A spot on the couch with a soft or weighted blanket
Support functional communication by modeling phrases like:
- “I need a break.”
- “Quiet time.”
- “All done.”
This supports emotional regulation and gives little ones language to express their needs.
4. Practice Social Phrases Ahead of Time
Holiday gatherings often come with expected phrases like “Hi,” “Bye,” and “Thank you.” For some, saying these in the moment can feel overwhelming—especially with new faces around.
Practicing ahead of time can help build confidence. You can:
- Role play with stuffed animals
- Practice with family members
- Use a favorite book or picture
- Even simple scripts like:
- “Hi, Nana!”
- “Thank you.”
- “Bye!”
Practicing these phrases ahead of time helps little ones feel more prepared for new and unexpected moments.
5. Celebrate and Have Fun
Spending intentional and quality time with others helps little ones connect experiences with language. This can be quick and simple:
- Look through photos
- Talk about what you did that day.
- Opening gifts
- Sharing a meal
In addition, you can encourage even more language development by describing emotions and actions.
- “You are baking cookies with Grandma!”
- “We opened presents.”
- “Daddy helped you carry the cookies.”
- “We are excited!”
These little conversations connect words to events while building functional communication.
Reduce Stress & Build Communication
Here’s the takeaway: holidays don’t need to be packed with activities to be meaningful. Little learners build language through connections with others, intentional interactions, and shared experiences—most of which happen without planning.
The truth is, simple, calm moments—even five minutes at a time—can create joy, confidence, and opportunities for functional communication.
Here’s to a holiday season filled with many meaningful moments for you and the little ones in your life.
