The holiday season is a time of joy, connection, and traditions, whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Eid, Hanukkah, Diwali, New Year, or simply enjoying some well-earned time off. But for children with speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN), the excitement can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with changes in routines and increased social interaction.

If you’re wondering how to support your child through this busy period, we’ve got some simple, inclusive ideas to help them enjoy the holidays while continuing to build their communication skills.

1. Keep Some Structure (but Stay Flexible!)

Holidays often mean a shift in routines, which can be tricky for children who thrive on predictability. While it’s impossible (and unnecessary) to keep everything the same, having some structure can help.

• Stick to familiar daily anchors like mealtimes, quiet time, or bedtime routines.
• Use a visual schedule or simple checklist to show what’s planned for the day, adding fun touches like “decorate biscuits” or “visit cousins.”

Flexibility is key too-if your child finds an activity overwhelming, be ready to adapt or take a break.

2. Make Celebrations Language-Friendly

Festive activities are full of opportunities to practice communication skills. Here are some ideas:

• Crafts and Decorations: Whether it’s Christmas tree ornaments or colourful Eid lanterns, making decorations is a great way to build vocabulary (“Let’s stick on the glitter!”), follow instructions, and spark conversations.
• Baking Together: Making mince pies, samosas, or festive biscuits can be a fun way to introduce new words (“stir,” “roll,” “mix”) and practice sequencing (“What do we do next?”).
• Songs and Rhymes: Traditional songs like “Jingle Bells” or seasonal rhymes can help with rhythm, repetition, and language retention.

3. Prepare for Social Gatherings

Family get-togethers and holiday parties are wonderful but can be daunting for children with SLCN. Prepare your child by:

• Practising common phrases like “Happy Christmas!” or “Eid Mubarak!”
• Role-playing scenarios, such as greeting relatives or saying thank you for a gift.
• Using games to encourage interaction, like simple board games or charades that involve turn-taking and speaking.

If large gatherings are overwhelming, set up a quiet space where your child can take breaks if needed. A favourite book, toy, or sensory tool can help them reset.

4. Explore Traditions and Stories

Each family has its own way of celebrating, whether it’s decorating a tree, visiting a mosque, lighting candles, or gathering for a special meal. Sharing these traditions is a brilliant way to expand language and build understanding.

• Talk About Traditions: Use new words to describe your family’s celebrations, like “lantern,” “fireworks,” or “stocking.”
• Explore Holiday Stories: Books about winter or festive traditions from different cultures are a great conversation starter. Some ideas: “Stick Man” by Julia Donaldson, “The Best Eid Ever” by Asma Mobin-Uddin and “The Snowman” by Raymond Briggs
• Ask open-ended questions like “What do you see on this page?” or “What do you think will happen next?”

5. Focus on Calm Moments

The excitement of the holidays can sometimes lead to sensory overload. Keep an eye on your child’s energy levels and offer calm activities when they need a break:

• Snuggle up with a blanket and read a favourite story.
• Offer sensory play like playdough, a soft blanket, or even a box of simple toys.
• Take a quiet walk outdoors to enjoy the winter air and notice festive lights or nature together.

6. Celebrate Inclusivity

Holidays are a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the diversity of celebrations. Sharing stories, foods, and traditions from other cultures can be enriching and build empathy.

• Explore symbols and decorations from different holidays, like a menorah for Hanukkah, rangoli for Diwali, or lights for Christmas.
• Make a festive garland that incorporates symbols from multiple celebrations.
• Try foods from different traditions—this can be a great way to introduce new descriptive words like “spicy,” “sweet,” or “crispy.”

7. Connection Matters Most

The heart of the holiday season is spending time with loved ones. While it’s lovely to use this time to encourage communication skills, the most important thing is simply being present and enjoying each other’s company.

Whether you’re sharing a laugh, noticing the sparkle of lights, or enjoying a delicious meal together, these moments of connection are what truly matter—and they naturally support your child’s language and social development.