The decorations are down, the glitter has finally settled, and the doors to your setting are open once again. As Early Years Practitioners, our instinct is often to hit the ground running. We have learning goals to meet, observations to record, and a brand-new term to kick off.
However, there is a common mistake many settings make in the first week of January: trying to “get back to normal” too quickly.
The Reality: It Wasn’t Just a “Break”
We often view the Christmas period as a holiday, but for a child, it is a huge emotional and sensory shift. They aren’t just returning from a rest; they are returning from two weeks of:
- Disrupted Sleep: Later nights and busy schedules.
- Changed Routines: Different environments and irregular mealtimes.
- Heightened Emotions: The adrenaline of “magic,” the overwhelm of crowds, and new family dynamics.
When children walk through your door in January, they aren’t ready for a full timetable—they are often in a state of emotional dysregulation.
The Mistake: The “Jump-Start” Approach
The biggest error we can make is jumping straight back into high expectations and rigid, structured activities. When we prioritise “getting through the plan” over the child’s emotional state, we miss the most important part of our job: co-regulation.
January doesn’t need a theme. It needs a slower start.
What Children Actually Need This Week
To help children re-settle, we need to shift our focus from “doing” to “being.” Here is how to navigate the first week back:
Familiar Spaces
Resist the urge to completely redesign the room over the holidays. Returning to spaces they recognise helps children feel safe. Familiarity offers comfort in an otherwise busy world.
Fewer Choices
A room overflowing with new resources can be overstimulating. A small number of well-chosen, open-ended resources helps children focus and re-engage at their own pace.
Time to Play
The first week isn’t a race. Unhurried time allows children to reconnect with their peers, rebuild their confidence, and find their feet again.
Repetition
Returning to the same materials and actions helps children make sense of the recent changes in their lives. Repeated exploration builds confidence.
Calm Adults
This is the most vital resource. Children “borrow” our calm. When we are present, observant, and emotionally available, we create a sense of safety that no planned activity can replace.
Small Moments of Connection
Sitting alongside a child, sharing a quiet conversation, or simply noticing them helps them feel secure. Connection is the antidote to the holiday “hangover.”
A Gentle Rhythm
Instead of a rigid schedule, aim for a predictable flow. Knowing what comes next supports emotional security and self-regulation.
The Golden Rule: Belonging Comes First
It can be tempting to plan elaborate “First Week Back” activities or New Year themes. But the truth is, learning cannot happen if a child does not feel they belong.
When we lower the pressure and prioritise connection, familiarity, and safety, the learning follows naturally. This January, give yourself and your children the gift of time. Slow down, breathe, and focus on the relationship. The curriculum can wait; the child cannot.
