In order to prepare for these changes, it can really help to have a visual calendar which includes any upcoming events and changes. It is important the calendar is somewhere the child can see it, perhaps on the wall of their bedroom or visible in the classroom.

This is to help visually prepare the child in advance of which days will be different and introduce the idea of the upcoming event.

The calendar can be made in any way that makes sense to the child- for example, a written calendar or a picture calendar with images and photos.

It will really help if the calendar is marked off by your child or children each day, to make it clear to them which day it is and what may be happening on the next day.

Model how to do this with your child. You may want to get into a routine of marking the calendar each day at the same time. This can be done by ticking or marking the day with a pen.

It is also important to make sure the school holidays are marked on the calendar, or to have a separate school holiday countdown calendar. This is to aid the transition between school and the holidays and to make it clear how many days are left before returning to school.

Have a very merry holiday season all!