Ah, the holidays—a time of rest, joyous family gatherings, and the harmonious sound of…meltdowns.
The reality is that this season often adds stress to families, especially for its youngest members.
Different schedules, new places, travel times, rich foods, family photos, and general overstimulation affect everything from mealtime to bedtime, which can contribute to not-so-merry meltdowns.
While grownups have the ability to command self-control faster, the brain’s pre-frontal cortex (where this function is typically associated) is not fully developed until adulthood. Additionally, relaxation is a learned behavior, which is why trying to reason with a toddler during a tantrum doesn’t usually work.
So, in the midst of holiday chaos, it’s important to gently teach children how to relax. Music and movement are some of the best tools out there to help little ones reset, recoup, and get ready for the next event.
5 Musical Tips for Easing Holiday Meltdowns
Rock gently together. When you start to notice your child teetering on the edge of a meltdown, invite your child to step away from the activity and go with you to a quiet place. Gently hold your child and rock together. (Added bonus if you can find a swing or rocking chair!)
While rocking together, help your child to label the feelings you witnessed. For example: “When I saw you stick out your lower lip, it looked like you were feeling sad because your cousin didn’t want to play what you wanted to play. After we finish taking a break together, can you think of something that you both might want to play?”
Listen to soothing music. On the way home from a holiday party or activity, listen to some relaxing music in the car. Research shows music can help children and adults relax. In fact, our heartbeats mimic the beat of the music!
Give your child a massage while humming a lullaby. You may already know about the healing effects of intentional touch like infant and toddler massage. But did you know that when you synchronize your movements to the beat of the music, that connection increases and better supports emotional regulation?
At the end of the busy day, make some one-on-one time for you and your little one. Give your child a gentle massage (like a heart massage on the chest, palm circles, etc.) paired with a special lullaby to relax them. This will create a safe space for them to release stress and lower anxiety, and a connective space between you.
Create a bathtime playlist.
The sensory magic of the water plus music is a game-changer. Keeping routines special—like bathtime—is one of the keys to maintaining some sense of normalcy for your kiddo when the atmosphere around them is chaotic.
We love “Bubbles On Me” in the free Kindermusik app (and anything in the Body themed playlist!).
Create a bedtime playlist.
Speaking of routines, crazy schedules or traveling with young children to see friends and family often results in cutting bedtime rituals, which can lead to little sleep for everyone.
Our #1 tip: keep that one time of the day the same through the chaos, or take the opportunity to create a more musical bedtime strategy. We know the right music helps easy anxiety and increase focus from newborns to adults, so create a calming lullaby playlist to signal the start and end of the bedtime routine wherever you may be.
Don’t know where to start? Try out our Relaxation playlist on the free Kindermusik app!
Looking for more musical ways to navigate big feelings? Join a live Kindermusik class or check out our classroom solutions to get support for grownups, developmental benefits for little ones, and joy for everyone.
Originally authored by Lisa Camino Rowell.