Five Minute Favorites: Holiday Edition

Consider any of our Five Minute Favorites to be trusty holiday helpers.

They can help you connect with your child and change focus and energy all while supporting development.

As a teacher, I relied on these five minute mood elevators.

Here’s a holiday edition of some short and sweet favorites to try this winter break!

  1. Go for a holiday decoration ‘I-spy’ walk. Observe and chat as you walk.

  2. Create something festive with salt dough, like a wreath or ornament.

  3. Have a conversation about something you are looking forward to this holiday, and why.

  4. Put on some music and dance. Could be holiday - but not necessarily.

  5. Movement break: jumping jacks, grapevines, high knees in the yard or down an apartment hallway.

  6. Have a conversation about something you already experienced this holiday. Try to remember as many details as you can, using ‘who, what, when, where, why, how’ prompts, and describe what you enjoyed or appreciated about it.

  7. Sit down and sing a holiday song together.

  8. Count ornaments on your Christmas tree together.

  9. Turn off all the lights and sit in quiet to observe and admire your tree (or paperwhite or amaryllis) together.

  10. Do a five-minute tidy-up - as those are often needed this time of year! Set a timer and see how much you can accomplish together - straightening shoes, folding grocery bags, taking out recycling, etc.

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Prepared Adult: Slow Down

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Weekend Wonder: Salt Dough