Holiday Behavior WorksheetPDF
Holiday Behavior Worksheet (COVID Edition)PDF
The holidays can be hard for kids who learn and think differently. Things that are supposed to be fun — special holiday meals, chitchat with friends and relatives — can be stressful. There may be unspoken (or even spoken) comparisons to other kids. All these demands can lead to behavior problems.
One way to avoid problem behavior is by planning for holiday challenges ahead of time. With these worksheets, you and your child can do that together.
The worksheets list common holiday challenges. One worksheet has challenges your child may face in a typical year. The other worksheet has challenges of the 2021 holiday season due to the continuing coronavirus pandemic.
Choose one worksheet. Then work with your child to mark off the challenges that apply — or come up with different things that are hard during the holidays. Then fill out the chart for each challenge.
You may have to help your child come up with strategies. For ideas, explore tips to help with:
- Gift exchanges
- Social situations (may not apply to the 2021 holiday season)
- Food sensitivities
- Restrictive clothing
- Cabin fever
- Understanding and joining holiday traditions
Thinking through challenges is a great way for kids to build self-awareness. And coming up with strategies can help them feel more in control when faced with holiday challenges.
Related downloads
Download a frustration log to better understand your child’s behavior and how to help.
Use a behavior contract to develop rewards and consequences.
Try a goals calendar to help your child set and stick to goals in the new year.
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About the author
About the author
The Understood Team is made up of passionate writers and editors. Many of them have kids who learn and think differently.
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Mark J. Griffin, PhD was the founding headmaster of Eagle Hill School, a school for children with specific learning disabilities.