Guest Post
by Jen Wirt, Mom of 2
CEO and Founder, Coral Care
Tips to Manage Children When Routine Disappears
Whether it's winter break or summer vacation, things looks magical from the outside. With school vacation and holidays, kids are home, the days are slower, and there is more time for family.
But for many children (as well as their moms, dads and caregivers) those who thrive on predictability find that the sudden loss of structure can feel overwhelming. School provides natural anchors for kids. There are clear transitions, built-in movement breaks, visual cues, and adults who guide the flow of the day. When all of that disappears overnight, many boys and girls struggle to stay regulated.
Parents often describe these holiday breaks as a mix of joy and chaos. You may notice more emotional outbursts, more clinginess, more sibling conflict, or more difficulty following directions. None of this means your child is being “difficult.” It simply means the brain is working harder.
With a little structure and creativity, you can help your youngsters feel secure and grounded, even when school is out. The goal is not to recreate the school day but rather to create predictable patterns so kids feels safe and know what to expect.
Create simple daily anchors to give the day shape
Anchors are consistent touchpoints that happen every day, in the same order. They do not require a strict timeline. They simply give a rhythm to the day.
Examples of anchors:
- Morning: breakfast, get dressed, choose two activities for the day
- Midday: outside time, lunch, quiet activity
- Evening: bath, reading, lights out
These predictable patterns lower anxiety and help children navigate transitions more smoothly. Even kids who appear flexible on the surface benefit from anchors because they keep the nervous system steady.
Visual schedules reduce stress, increase independence
During school, children rely heavily on visual cues. When those cues disappear, a visual schedule at home fills that gap.
A visual schedule can be:
- drawings
- simple words
- sticky notes
- pictures printed from the internet
- a whiteboard on the fridge
For kids ages 3 to 8, visuals provide clarity in a way spoken words alone cannot. A child may resist “time to clean up,” but when it is clearly written or pictured as the next step in their day, the transition feels more manageable.
A simple school holiday break schedule might look like:
1. Breakfast
2. Art project
3. Outside time
4. Lunch
5. Free play
6. Movie or quiet reading
7. Dinner
8. Bath and bedtime routine
You can encourage your kids to take turns to help build the schedule each morning, which gives them a feeling of control and lowers resistance later.
Movement is the foundation of regulation
Physical activity ideas that work indoors or outside:
- scooter rides or sidewalk chalk obstacle courses
- freeze dance
- animal movement games (bear crawls, frog hops, crab walks)
- hallway bowling using stuffed animals
- kids yoga or breathing exercises
- pillow jumping or couch cushion obstacle courses
Movement should appear at least two or three times a day during school vacations. When kids move, focus improves, emotions stabilize, and cooperation increases.
Create a cozy calm space for emotional resets
School breaks, especially during the winter holidays, often brings bigger emotions. A designated calm-down space helps kids learn to notice when they are overwhelmed and gives them a place to reset.
Possible items for a calm-down space:
- blankets and pillows
- a weighted lap pad
- books or sensory-friendly toys
- a soft lamp or twinkle lights
- noise-reducing headphones
This does not need to be elaborate. Even a small corner with a blanket and a book creates a sense of retreat.
Use theme days to add excitement, organization
Theme days are a fun, budget-friendly way to create structure. They give the day direction, help kids understand the plan, and make long stretches of unstructured time feel manageable.
One of our favorites: Princess Day
- princess themed craft
- build a castle with blocks or Magnatiles
- dress-up dance party
- princess “tea time” snack
- visual schedule showing each activity
The best theme days build on your child’s interests. Other ideas include:
- Dinosaur Day
- Chef Day
- Art Studio Day
- Construction Day
- Science Day
- Winter Wonderland Day
- Superhero Training Camp
Theme days also naturally incorporate movement, creativity, and connection, which helps regulate the nervous system.
Winter and summer breaks may highlight new concerns
With more time at home, parents may notice patterns they didn't see during the school year.
This might include:
- difficulty with transitions
- emotional outbursts that feel disproportionate
- sensory sensitivities
- difficulty following multi-step directions
- challenges with fine motor tasks
- frustration tolerance struggles
- speech or articulation concerns
If you are noticing any of these, you are not alone. School breaks often brings clarity because you are seeing your child in a more unstructured environment.
Coral Care offers in-home pediatric therapy and a free developmental screener that helps you understand whether OT, SLP, or PT support may benefit your child.
Take the free screener
Book an evaluation
Or call or text: 617-463-9342
Extended breaks from school do not have to feel chaotic. With a few predictable routines, moments of movement, visual anchors, and playful, low-cost activities, you can help your child feel steady and make this time together more joyful.
About the Author
Jen Wirt is the founder and CEO of Coral Care, a platform helping families access high-quality pediatric therapy, without the waitlists, confusing systems, or insurance hurdles that too often stand in the way. Nearly 1 in 5 children has a developmental delay or disability. Jen’s work sits at the intersection of parental advocacy, early intervention, and healthcare innovation. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Rochester, an MS in Engineering and Innovation Management from Brown University, and an MBA from Babson College. Jen lives in Westchester, NY with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs.
About Coral Care
The spark for Coral Care came from Jen’s own experience: when her infant daughter showed signs of developmental delays, Jen quickly realized how difficult it was to get timely, in-network support. What should’ve been a straightforward process felt impossible. She created Coral Care to change that—for her family and for the thousands of others navigating similar challenges.
