Most young children get a break from school during the holidays. However, there are plenty of opportunities for learning and stimulation during this time of year, especially for preschool kids. If you want to enjoy the holidays with family but still keep your children’s mind active, here are a few simple ways to integrate lessons into the celebrations.

How to Encourage Learning During the Holidays

1. Help Them Write Letters to Santa

Writing letters to Santa is a popular holiday tradition, and it can also help your children develop their penmanship. Even if they can’t write the full message themselves, go over the letters and words with them so that they get better at recognizing each one. You can also do this exercise by addressing gift tags or greeting cards.

2. Bake Cookies Together

Whether you’re baking cookies to put out for Santa or making desserts for your holiday guests, baking is a fun activity for the whole family. In addition to producing delicious treats, baking presents an opportunity to develop math skills. Have your kids measure and count ingredients so that they gain a better grasp of numbers and quantities. This also helps them understand how math can come in handy in a real-world situation.

3. Read Them Holiday Books

There are tons of holiday-themed books that are special for families. Each night, read your children a festive story before bedtime and ask them to describe the pictures to you. This can support their reading comprehension skills. Your little ones will start to put together the stories and recognize the meaning behind what you’re reading to them.

If you’re looking for a preschool that can support your children’s development year-round, contact Seagull Schools in Honolulu, HI. This early childhood education center has welcomed new students from across Oahu for nearly 20 years. Their friendly educators follow a preschool curriculum that meets state-recognized standards while integrating fun activities and entertainment into each lesson. Get more information about their approach to instruction online, or call (808) 261-8534 to inquire about enrollment.