ABA-Friendly Ways to Keep Learning Light and Playful During Winter Break
Winter break is a welcome pause from the daily school and therapy routine—but it can also disrupt the progress your child has worked so hard to build. The good news? Supporting your child’s growth over break doesn’t have to mean worksheets or rigid schedules. With a little creativity, you can keep skills fresh in ways that feel natural, fun, and pressure-free.
Here’s how to integrate ABA strategies into winter break activities—without turning your home into a classroom.
1. Turn Daily Routines Into Skill-Building Moments
You don’t need special materials to practice communication, sequencing, or independence. Everyday tasks are rich with learning opportunities.
Try this:
- Have your child help pack their lunch or snack, narrating each step
- Practice requesting and labeling items while getting dressed or choosing winter gear
- Use first-then statements (e.g., “First we brush teeth, then we read a book”) to keep structure clear
2. Make Playtime Intentional
Play is how many children learn best. During break, use toys and games your child already enjoys, and gently guide moments of skill practice.
Try this:
- During block building, model turn-taking or give directions (“Put the blue one on top”)
- While playing pretend, encourage role play or problem-solving
- Practice waiting, sharing, or following simple instructions during games
These small, playful adjustments help generalize what they’ve learned in therapy to real-life scenarios.
3. Create a Loose Visual Schedule
While break is meant to be relaxing, some structure can help children feel secure—and reduce behaviors that come from uncertainty.
Try this:
- Use a simple visual schedule with 3–4 icons (like breakfast, outside time, TV, lunch)
- Let your child help choose and arrange the day’s order
- Keep it flexible! This isn’t about sticking to a rigid plan—it’s about setting expectations
4. Practice Social Skills During Family Time
Winter break often brings more family interaction, whether that’s at gatherings or at home. These moments can support social development in natural settings.
Try this:
- Prompt greetings and basic conversational exchanges (“Hi Grandma! How are you?”)
- Practice making choices during meals or activities
- Encourage peer interaction if cousins or neighbors visit—set up a shared activity with built-in turns
5. Build in Breaks (for Both of You)
ABA progress doesn’t mean nonstop engagement. Down time, sensory regulation, and rest are just as important.
Try this:
- Offer movement breaks or quiet time in a calming space
- Keep sensory tools available during outings or transitions
- Celebrate small wins—putting on a coat independently, using a new word, staying calm during a noisy moment
6. Use Media as a Learning Tool
Screen time can still support learning when used intentionally.
Try this:
- Watch short videos that model social skills or routines
- Use educational apps that focus on language, matching, or sequencing
- Pause shows to ask questions or talk about feelings and expressions
7. Involve Siblings and the Whole Family
Learning doesn’t have to be a solo experience. Siblings, parents, and even grandparents can play a role in skill-building, making it feel like connection—not therapy.
Try this:
- Play a game where siblings take turns giving each other instructions
- Have everyone follow a “family rule” like hands to self or waiting turns at dinner
- Let your child “teach” a new word or skill to another family member
Support That Stays With You
You don’t need to replicate therapy at home to make winter break a successful, skill-sustaining time. Small adjustments, thoughtful routines, and playful interactions are more than enough. Your presence, encouragement, and flexibility are powerful tools for growth—and you’re already using them.
Want more support for community-based learning opportunities during the school break? Visit alorabh.com/events to check out upcoming Alora programs designed to support progress in real-life environments.