Winter Break Encouragement for Parents and Elementary Children

If your children come home telling you they have homework this month, this is what they mean! These ideas are inspired from an episode of the All Things Montessori podcast.

1 - Sleep! Please allow your children to sleep as much as possible. Even if some events make for later bedtimes, getting 9-11 hours a night of sleep is incredibly important. 

2 - Make, Build, Create - please re-stock your children's art and building materials (different kinds of paper, colored pencils, crayons, legos, blocks, etc) to prepare the environment for creation & creativity. Children are in the routine of being focused and productive in the classroom for long stretches of time and may look for the materials to engage in their work at home too.

3 - Play Outside! Fresh air, continued exposure to the sun for Vitamin D, and opportunities for gross motor movement, free play, and imaginative play are important all throughout the year. 

4 - Turn off screens! Constructive rest, relaxation, and even (gasp!) boredom are fine, normal, and encouraged. Release the feeling of being expected to entertain your elementary child, with screens or otherwise.

5 - Read! Children can read to themselves, aloud to family members, in their pajamas, all day long. Please stock up on a collection of books from the library to have available for reading all through the break. 

6 - Rest! Like adults, it may take a few days for children to decompress from their  busy routines. After everyone has had a chance to slow down, enjoy the opportunity for rest. 

7 - Go Out! If you find yourself with some time off, plan a day to a museum, cultural center, historic site, state park, or new hiking path. Learn something new together.

8 - Cook or bake together, emphasizing the reading, comprehension, and following of the steps.