From Holidays to Winter Blues

Well, the holidays have passed. You have made it through the sugar highs of Halloween, the over eating of Thanksgiving and slid through the multiple celebrations of Christmas. If you are on holiday you have a few days before you meet up with your class again. If you are not on holiday you are crawling back into routine.

Well, remember so are your kids. They have gone through the same types of highs and lows you have.

However, they have not had the 18 plus years you have had to develop coping skills. They don't have the words to express, the feeling of, "it is all over" and "I feel sad".

They don't understand the emotions that come with high times of joy, constant motion and family dynamics; and if we are honest a lot of us are still developing these skills or working at getting better at developing them.

On top of everything that goes with all the fun and celebrations we have just enjoyed, many of us in the Northern Hemisphere are hitting the doldrums of winter. Living in Minnesota, I know deep cold, artic wind chills and snow or lack of snow, will add to my classes behaviors and attitudes.

It will also affect me. And we all know if it effects me it will affect my class and those around me. So what can we do to help move forward and enjoy the transaction back into regular life?

1. Go slowly. I take a few days working extra free time and regular routine together. Shorter circle times, more exploration opportunities.

2. Switch it up. Gradually decrease the holiday songs and books, bring back old favorites and slowly introduce new ones. Do the same with toys, puzzles, art mediums, and books.

3. Provide large muscle opportunities. Dance, go outside when ever possible, use the gym wisely. Check out:

The Learning Station and their Brain Breaks. https://learningstationmusic.com

Explore Rea Pica's work.
http://www.raepica.com

4. Net work with others.
Check out my Facebook page From Fingerprints To Masterpieces and join our discussion group From Fingerprints To Masterpieces Deeper Discussions.
Share other groups in the comments or in the discussion group so we can all benefit from what you have learned.

5. Take care of yourself. If you are feeling the stress and pressure you will transmit to your class.

You are their rudder. Remember you are in control, but use your position wisely.
Set limits and follow through.
Be aware of the choices you are giving, spoken and unspoken.
Yelling doe not solve anything, stay CALM.
Apologize if you must

and NEVER, be afraid to ask for help or offer a coworker help.

This is just a season. It will pass. It can be enjoyed.