11 ways to help your child at holiday gatherings
by Cathy
Holiday family gatherings are right around the corner. Here are some tips to help make them more pleasant:
- Prepare a photo album in advance of seeing the relatives and other guests.
- Go through the photo album with your child while talking briefly about each family member.
- Allow the child access to these photos at all times.
- Know your child and how much noise and activity they can tolerate. If you detect that a situation may be becoming overwhelming, help your child find a quiet area in which to regroup.
- Prepare family members for strategies to use to minimize anxiety or behavioral incidents and suggest ways to enhance your child’s participation in the day’s activities.
- Help family and friends understand your son or daughter’s preferences, whether they prefer to be hugged or not, need calm discussions and so on.
- To minimize behavioral outbursts, coach others to remain calm and neutral if your child becomes upset.
- Avoid introducing your child to any new demands these next couple weeks — holidays already place extra stress on children.
- Try to maintain a sleep routine, meal routine, and other important routines.
- Practice opening gifts ahead of time, taking turns and waiting for others.
- Role play scenarios with your child in preparation for them getting a gift they do not want.
As for those last tips about opening gifts, I highly recommend using a visual turn taking card to help with that process. the New Social Story Book by Carol Gray (2010) contains a number of social stories on gifts.
Above all, know your child. Know how much noise and other sensory input they can take. Know their level of anxiety and the amount of preparation it may take. Know their fears, and know those things that will make the season more enjoyable for them – and for you. Happy holidays!