The holidays are an exciting time for children. Aside from celebrating their favorite events of the season, they’re also getting a break from school. However, Pumpkin Preschool, Fairfield, CT’s leading early learning center, says while all kids need time away from the books to unwind, the holiday vacation shouldn’t set their learning back. To encourage your children to absorb and explore while away from the classroom, there’s several things you can do and many fun activities to implement into their schedules.

For a fun, educational winter break, here are five ways parents can encourage learning and exploration:

• Take a Field Trip: Don’t let your kids sit at home bored during their holiday school break, bring them on a fun field trip instead! Whether it’s trip to a local museum, the grocery store or the zoo, there’s opportunity for education nearly anywhere you go.
• Write a Letter to Santa: If your kids believe in Santa, encourage them to write a letter to him. Not only will this get them into the holiday spirit, but it will allow them to exercise their writing abilities without even knowing it!
• Bake Holiday Desserts: If your children love leaving cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, enlist their help in the kitchen. Not only is baking fun, but it's also a creative way for kids to practice their math skills. Encourage them to measure ingredients; for a tougher challenge, see if they can divide or double a recipe.
• Worksheets: If you’re looking for a quiet activity for your children to do that will keep their writing, reading, math, and science skills on point until school resumes, download age appropriate worksheets online, like those available free at Education.com. You can also visit your local educational store for workbooks for all grade levels.
• Read: According to early learning center teachers, there’s no better way to learn than by reading. Take your kids on a trip to the bookstore and allow them to pick out a few books to enjoy over the holiday break. If your children are too young to read themselves, make story time a daily routine, or visit your local library for group readings.

For more creative and fun ideas to keep your children learning over the holidays, reach out to the instructors at Fairfield’s highly rated early learning center, Pumpkin Preschool. You can call this day care center at (203) 255-7505, or can send them a message via their website. Also, while at their site, learn more about this preschool center, including the curriculum they offer and for an overview of their teaching philosophy.