New Year, Same Routine: Helping Toddlers Transition Back to Routine After the Holidays
After the whirlwind of holiday festivities, travel, and gatherings, it’s completely normal for kids to feel out of sync. As the New Year begins, helping toddlers transition back to routine is key to restoring balance. It’s also important in supporting their sensory and emotional needs. Here are a few simple strategies to ease the shift, create a calming environment, and reduce stress as you get back on track.
Re-establish Sleep Routines
Despite our best efforts, the holidays often bring late nights, irregular naps, and disrupted sleep schedules. Try these tips to help your child re-adjust to a consistent sleep routine:
Consistent Bedtime: As you probably already know, consistency is key. Try to put your child to bed at the same time each night to restore regularity.
Create a Calming Bedtime Routine: A predictable series of events, like a warm bath, a gentle story, and quiet music, can help signal that it’s time for sleep.
Be Patient with Night Wakings: It’s common for children to have a few rough nights after the excitement of the holidays. Offer comfort and reassurance as needed.
Reintroduce Healthy Meal Routine
During the holidays, meal times may have been unpredictable, with a variety of treats and changes to typical meal times. Now that the holidays are over, helping toddlers transition back to routine with a healthy eating schedule can support your child’s energy levels and well-being.
Offer Regular Meals and Snacks: Aim for three balanced meals and healthy snacks at regular intervals throughout the day.
Incorporate Sensory-Friendly Foods: If your child is sensitive to textures, flavors, or smells, consider offering familiar foods that feel comfortable and enjoyable for them.
Get Back to Family Meals: Sharing meals together helps reinforce a sense of structure and provides opportunities for social interaction.
Reintroduce Sensory Breaks
With the noise of busy households or new environments, your child may need extra help processing all the sensory information they encountered over the holidays. Sensory breaks are key to helping children regulate their emotions and behaviors.
Create Sensory-Friendly Spaces: Soft lighting, soothing sounds, or sensory toys can help create a calming environment.
Incorporate Regular Breaks: This can be a few minutes of quiet time or a physical activity like jumping on a trampoline.
Try Relaxation Techniques: Simple activities like deep breathing, stretching, or calming music can help your child reset and feel more grounded.
Establish a Flexible Routine
While it’s important to reintroduce structure, remember that flexibility is key. Children’s needs may vary after the chaos of the holidays, and a rigid routine might feel overwhelming.
Start Small: Begin by focusing on the most important routines—sleep, meals, and sensory breaks—and gradually build from there.
Stay Positive: Celebrate small successes as your child adapts back to their routine. Positive reinforcement can help them feel secure and motivated during this transition.
Be Mindful of Transitions: Give your child plenty of warning before switching activities or moving on to the next part of the day.
Create a Calming Environment
The environment plays a significant role in how well your toddler or infant can transition back to their routine. A calming, predictable space can help ease the adjustment period and reduce stress.
Reduce Clutter: Clear out holiday decorations and set up familiar, comforting items like soft blankets, stuffed animals, or favorite toys.
Control Noise Levels: Create quieter, calmer moments in the day with soft music or white noise machines to help your child relax.
Incorporate Comforting Scents: Gentle scents like lavender or chamomile can be soothing. Use essential oils in a diffuser or a calming scent in your child’s room to help promote relaxation and sleep.
Note: Be mindful of your child’s sensitivities, and avoid scents that may cause discomfort.
Ease Into Activities and Socialization
The holiday season may have involved lots of social interactions and activities, which could leave your child feeling socially exhausted. Ease them back into activities and socialization by providing a balance of structured and unstructured play.
Limit Group Outings: After the hustle of the holidays, allow for some downtime before jumping back into social events or playdates. Start with one-on-one or small, low-key outings.
Encourage Solo Play: Independent play is not only important for a child’s development but also offers them the chance to regulate their emotions and sensory needs on their own.
Introduce New Activities Gradually: After a period of rest, gently reintroduce more structured activities, like playgroups or family outings.
Helping Toddlers Transition Back to Routine: Key Takeaways
Transitioning back to routine after the excitement of the holidays can be challenging for both parents and children. With a little patience and planning, it can be a smooth transition. By re-establishing consistent routines, you can help your toddler or infant adjust back to a sense of normalcy. Remember to stay flexible, offer lots of reassurance, and celebrate each step of the transition.
If you need a little support, complete our intake form here or schedule a discovery call to see how we may be able to help.
