Q: My daughter seems more exhausted than joyful. What's going on?
Skills
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Holidays can be a time of joy, fun and excitement, but they can also be full of unexpected changes in routine and overstimulation. This can be particularly difficult for young children, because they thrive on structure and predictability. You are also more likely to be busy preparing for the holidays and hosting guests, which may cause your daughter to become more demanding than usual or act out for attention. While it is necessary to be somewhat flexible to accommodate holiday parties, traditions and family visits, try to stick as close as you can to your daughter’s routine. Make sure that she gets plenty of sleep, and set aside some downtime each day to relax, read, or play a game together as a family.
Jennie Ito, Ph.D.
Child Development Expert
Jennie Ito is a mother of two and a child development consultant who specializes in children’s play and toys. Before becoming a consultant for LeapFrog, she was an intern at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and later worked as a content expert for the Association of Children’s Museum’s “Playing for Keeps” Play Initiative. Jennie earned her doctorate degree in developmental psychology at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.