Starting Fresh in 2026: How to Support Your Child This January
- Alexandria Fata
- Jan 5
- 3 min read
What early elementary school parents can look forward to during the month of January.
Happy New Year from Open Door Learning! Lexi here, founder of ODL. Each month, I share a simple, quick guide to help you know what to expect in school in order to help you confidently support your child and feel prepared for routine shifts, learning goals, and big moments throughout the year.
January is a month of fresh starts, rebuilding routines, and helping kids get back into school after winter break. It will feel like a slow reset, so be patient with your kiddos as they transition back into their school routine. Here is what you can expect in January:
Back-to-School Routines & Expectations
After winter break, many classrooms spend time reestablishing routines and expectations, including:
Review of classroom rules and procedures
Building stamina for learning again
Refocusing attention and self-regulation
Practicing transitions and independent work
It’s completely normal for kids to feel tired, emotional, or resistant during the first few weeks back. 💭Think about it: Adults have a hard time going back to work after the winter break. Now connect this to how a young child must be feeling going back to school!
How You Can Support Your Child at Home:
Talk through the daily routine before the school week starts
Early bedtimes and easy morning routines
Offer reassurance: “It’s okay if it feels hard to go back to school at first”
Talk with your child when he or she gets home each day and ask:
What part of the day made you smile?
What part of the day felt hard or challenging?
Was there anything new or different about school today?
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Many schools use January to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by focusing on kindness, fairness, helping others and standing up for what is right. In early elementary classrooms, students often listen to read-alouds and talk about how their words and actions can make a difference, even in early elementary classrooms. Teachers focus more on how students can embody what MLK Jr. believed in, rather than the historical details.
How You Can Support Your Child at Home:
Read a child-friendly book about MLK Jr. Here are some options:
Talk about what kindness looks like at school and at home.
Encourage one small act of helping others, such as:
Writing a thank you note
Helping a neighbor
Donating gently used items
Doing an extra chore at home
Afterwards, ask your child how it felt to help. This teaches your child empathy, reflection and confidence.
January SEL Tip: Goal-Setting (Kid-Friendly!)
January is a great time to introduce goal-setting in a way that feels positive and achievable for young children. Setting goals can feel hard at first, but with practice, this will become a normal practice in your child's life.
What Goal-Setting Looks Like for Young Kids:
Trying their best at _________ (ex: reading, dancing, singing)
Practicing something that feels tricky or new
Learning how to ask for help or how to help others
Feeling proud of their effort
Learning a new academic skill (ex: writing full sentences)
Try This at Home — “One Small Goal”
Sit with your child and choose one simple goal for the month. Ask your child: "What is something you want to try this month or get better at?"
Keep it simple like:
Read every night
Practice writing my name neatly and correctly
Use kind words when I feel frustrated
Write down the goal, decorate it and hang it somewhere that is visible daily
Decide how you want to track progress on the goal:
Sticker chart or visual tracking?
Check in weekly with your child by asking these questions:
“How’s your goal going?”
“What was fun or tricky?”
“What’s your next step?”
Celebrate progress, not perfection! Keep the tone playful and positive—goals are about growth, not pressure!
Winter Learning Can Still Be Fun
January doesn’t need to feel long or boring. Learning can happen through:
Board games and card games
Outside adventures or play time
Cooking and measuring
Winter-themed books and writing
Talking about feelings and experiences
These moments support learning naturally and keep things joyful.
Need Support? I’m Here.
If you’re feeling unsure about your child’s progress, struggling to get back into routines, or want guidance from a certified teacher, I’m here to help. Through 1:1 parent coaching and simple, custom at-home learning plans, I support busy families in feeling confident and connected to their child’s learning — without the overwhelm.
💙 Here’s to a calm, confident start to the new year. Small steps, steady growth, and lots of encouragement go a long way.
Until next time,
Lexi :)
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