Resilient Kids: Navigating Holiday Excitement

Early childhood educators are uniquely positioned to teach children how to navigate their emotions, especially as the holiday season stirs up heightened excitement, restlessness, and occasional stress. While joyful, the festive period also disrupts routine, carries new expectations, and sometimes adds family pressures—all of which children can feel deeply. 

By incorporating emotional resilience into everyday interactions with children, educators can give them the tools they need to manage the holiday season and prepare them for life’s challenges beyond it.

Here are my top tips for navigating this time of year:

Reframe the Holiday Hype

For children, the holiday season often means extra stimulation—decorations, music, and talk of gifts and gatherings—which can lead to emotional overload. Educators can help children manage these feelings by framing their responses in nonjudgmental language. 

Rather than labelling behaviours as “good” or “bad,” they can say, “It looks like you have a big feeling right now. Let’s figure out what’s happening.” This slight shift in language removes shame and teaches children that emotions are normal and manageable.

Example: When a child feels overwhelmed by the anticipation of a holiday activity, instead of saying, “You need to calm down,” educators can say, “This feels like an exciting day, doesn’t it? Sometimes, when we’re excited, it can feel a little bumpy inside.” This approach allows children to acknowledge their emotions without feeling judged, providing a safe space for self-expression.

Embrace the Rough Roads as Moments of Growth

Holiday excitement often disrupts daily routines, which can be incredibly challenging for young children who thrive on predictability. 

Educators can model resilience by teaching children that “rough roads” are a natural part of life. Rather than viewing heightened emotions or frustration as negative, educators can use these moments as building blocks for emotional resilience.

Example: If a child feels disappointed about a cancelled holiday event, educators can guide them through these feelings by saying, “It’s okay to feel upset about this change. Let’s think of something else we can look forward to.” By working through these “rough roads,” children learn that setbacks are part of the journey and are encouraged to adapt positively.

Encourage Choices and Responsibility

The holidays are a perfect time to introduce the concept of choice, especially when emotions run high. 

Educators can empower children by helping them see that while they may not control everything around them, they can choose their responses. 

For instance, if a child feels frustrated about taking turns with a toy, rather than saying, “Don’t be upset,” a teacher might say, “I see you’re frustrated. Would you like to wait with me or choose a different toy?” This approach shows children that their emotions are valid and helps them practice constructive ways to respond to their feelings.

Support Children in Changing How They Respond to Stress

Holiday activities, from family gatherings to gift-giving traditions, can sometimes create stress that’s felt even by the youngest family members. Children can start developing a healthier relationship with these seasonal pressures by learning to shift their focus and reframe their responses. Educators can introduce simple techniques, like taking a deep breath or counting to five, when children feel overwhelmed.

Example: A teacher might say, “When we feel upset or excited, it’s like being on a bumpy road. Let’s take a moment to return to a smoother road.” This analogy helps children understand that emotions don’t have to control their behaviour and that they have the power to choose a different response.

In early childhood education, teaching emotional resilience means helping children see challenges as part of their journey rather than obstacles. 

Incorporating emotional resilience techniques in early education makes the holiday season smoother and fosters a foundation for lifelong coping skills. By helping children navigate this time of year’s emotional highs and lows, educators empower them to approach future challenges with confidence, resilience, and grace.

Dr Jane Foster is a leading educator, researcher, presenter and author of  “It’s In Your Hands; Your Steering Wheel, Your Choice”. Combining her educational skills with neuroscience and positive psychology, Jane equips people with strategies to help build emotional resilience and manage their daily stresses, successfully changing perspectives and creating new neural pathways. 

For more information, visit www.emotionalresiliencetraining.com.au