The Christmas period is a potential goldmine of knowledge, games, and activities to keep young minds engaged and interested. Whether homeschooled or in the public system, your children can use the holidays to learn more about key subjects and reviews topics they are covering.
Check out some fun ideas that will inspire you to share the joy of Christmas whilst enriching their understanding of the world they live in. Shopping, cooking, and decorating are important Christmas activities, but don’t forget about your little ones. They crave your attention too.
1. History time
As you go through the Christmas holidays you can bring up interesting facts. Explain the origins of different events and aspects of Christmas. For instance, did you know that Christmas Trees first appeared in Sixteenth-Century Germany?
In order to keep your children engaged pair each new item of information with a fun activity. Try making a simple timeline out of paper. This can show the different Christmas traditions throughout the ages.
Ask your children to imagine how Christmas was different in different times. What toys would the children have played with? This can help your children to develop an appreciation of the different lifestyles enjoyed during different ages and bring ancient and modern history to life.
More: 10 Wonderful Things Christmas Teaches Us
2. Geography time
Your children can also learn more about the current world around them through Christmas. Try introducing different countries and learning about how Christmas is celebrated in exotic, far-off places. For instance, in Jamaica, they celebrate Christmas with a street parade called John Canoe.
Try sharing the cuisines of those places and even making Christmas decorations in regional styles together. With a little creativity, it is possible to re-create different environments and give your children a taste of life in other parts of the world.
3. Math time
It’s even possible to cover math concepts during Christmas. How about singing the Twelve Days of Christmas? You can use songs like these to teach subtraction, addition, and, depending on the age of your children more advanced concepts such as multiplication.
You can use chocolate coins to practice calculating different amounts. Your children are sure to remember these activities fondly and cherish the times you spend together. Although the learning element need not be intensive, the activities should be inclusive and enable all the children to play a meaningful role.
4. Creativity boost
There are many ways you can share the joy of Christmas through the curiosity and adventure that comes from learning about the world. You can finger paint a Christmas tree or make paper chains together. Where possible, use paints and crayons to illustrate concepts and make them fun and involving for the children.
By harnessing your children’s creativity and curiosity you can enable them to discover further knowledge for themselves. This way, your children can have a souvenir they can later use to reinforce their learning.
More: 8 Incredibly Fun Kids’ Christmas Party Games
5. Family time
Rather than re-creating the classroom, try and involve your children’s creativity and ask them to illustrate different events and the items that you cover during the holidays. Trying out these ideas together can help you to share a warm and memorable Christmas time together.
It can also enrich your Christmas experience and help you enjoy special moments whilst broadening the horizons of your family. The gift of knowledge is, after all, a gift that lasts a lifetime.
When you have children, Christmas maybe a little bit different than ever. Apart from cleaning the house and preparing Christmas dinner, you should also spend at least a few hours teaching your children valuable things. They will remember these times and thank you for those precious minutes spent together.
Do you think it’s crucial to help kids learn during Christmas? Share your tips, please.1