It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
What does Christmas look like for your family? This magical time of year is beautiful and complex. It looks and feels different for all of us.
For our family, it comes with a December first box filled with our stockings to hang, books to read, hot chocolate to drink, and an advent calendar to share together as a family. We’re still finding our traditions, and I expect they will change and evolve as we grow over the years.
Here are some ideas of how to celebrate and to enjoy this season together as a family:
• Decorate the tree
• Donate toys
• Read Christmas books
• Watch a Christmas movie
• Drink hot chocolate
• View Christmas lights
• Visit Santa
• Bake cookies for the neighbors
• Decorate gingerbread
• Make Christmas cards
• Paint plain paper for gift-wrapping
• Write a letter to Santa
• Make reindeer food
Celebrate Christmas
We have designed this playlist with the hope that it inspires you to come together as a family through music, rhyme and play. However you spend Christmas, we hope you are able to spend it with those who you love.
Play by stage.
Here are some tips for exploring Christmas themes.
I’ve broken these tips into categories to support you in meeting your child where they are at. Please note that you can use any of these tips at all ages and stages of your child’s development, depending on their unique learning needs.
1: Beginner
Here is your opportunity to sing all your favourite songs and rhymes about Christmas. Jingle Bells is a favourite in our house! Why not make our Homemade Wrist Bells and sing along with us in our carol videos?
2: Intermediate
Have a child who won’t stop pulling the decorations off the Christmas tree? Yes, I have been there too. Redirect this play and give your child something to have ownership over with their very own felt tree. This doubles as a fun Christmas craft that you can add to every year. Use Andrew’s template here to get started and enjoy decorating with us in our Oh Christmas Tree video.
3: Advanced
Let’s get baking! Christmas time is a wonderful opportunity to invite your children into the kitchen to make delicious memories. Be prepared for the mess and spills. You may like to prepare with our fun rhyme Stir a Bowl of Gingerbread and continue reciting it as you go through the steps while baking. Can your child recite the full rhyme?
Doctor Tip!
Introducing Dr. Kathryn
Consider the challenges for children at Christmas time.
Consider the challenges for children at Christmas time.“As the end of year races towards us, and we rush to finish up, tidy up and catch up… it’s worth thinking about what this change of pace will mean for our children. If we briefly pause to consider some of the challenges our children will face at this time, we will be better equipped to understand the feelings and context behind any tears or troubles.”
This blog excerpt comes from Supporting Children Through The Silly Season by Dr Kathryn Hackman, creator and founder of Courageous Kids App. Read the full blog and access her parenting strategies here on our website.
Andrew's Art Corner
Does your child like to remove decorations from the Christmas tree? Give them something to keep their little fingers busy with a DIY felt tree. Download our decoration template to make at home.
Learning Resources
Celebrate Christmas with our open-ended resources at 15% OFF* from the Gumnut Music shop.
This months code: WXC2D2ER
*Exclusions may apply.