The excitement of the holiday season can often come with a fair amount of stress. For some young children, the festive but sensoray overload can be a struggle to navigate.
At Rev It Up Martial Arts & Child Development Center in Voorhees, instructors see that pressure first hand. Master Dee Ann Wilcox, a martial arts veteran and certified child development specialist, says even the happiest times of year can challenge parents and kids alike.
“Parents often feel pulled in a dozen different directions during the holidays, and children feel that shift,” she explained. “My goal is to help families create more connection and calm so the season is enjoyed, not simply endured.”
To support families, Wilcox shares parent SKILLZ Tips designed to help strengthen relationships and reduce seasonal stress. The first is connection. Even though the holidays center around togetherness, busy schedules can unintentionally decrease meaningful time with children.
“Your presence is the magic,” Wilcox said. “Setting aside even a few minutes a day, wrapping gifts together or baking goes a long way.”
Another key skill is attunement, which helps parents understand their child’s experience of holiday overload. Bright lights, crowded stores and irregular schedules can trigger stress. Keeping familiar routines, especially for children with sensory sensitivities, can make a noticeable difference.
Patience, Wilcox noted, is especially important when parents are stretched thin.
“A short pause before responding helps demonstrate compassion,” she said. “These moments become powerful teaching opportunities.”
Before big holiday events, Wilcox added, prompting or setting clear expectations can help children regulate their behavior. And when a child succeeds, positive reinforcement is essential.
“Catch them being good,” Wilcox advised.
Holiday tasks can also become opportunities for what is called edutainment, or playful learning. Turning gift-wrapping into a creative challenge or using baking as a learning activity helps transform stress into bonding. When mistakes happen, nurturing responses matter most.
“Children aren’t born knowing how to behave during special events,” Wilcox observed. “By treating missteps as teaching moments, parents preserve the holiday spirit and teach lasting emotional skills.”
Adaptability helps parents meet their children where they are, especially as routines shift. Recognizing signs of overstimulation can help prevent meltdowns. Finally, consistency serves as an anchor for children during a hectic time. Steady expectations, calm communication and consistent support help calm and boost confidence.
With her strategies, Wilcox believes families can create a holiday season filled with more connection and peace.
“Our wish is for families to experience the holidays with joy, warmth and understanding,” she related. “With a little awareness and a few SKILLZ-based tools, parents can truly help their children thrive this season.”
