Research: Psychologist Marie Hartwell-Walker’s article on family traditions gives some great insight into the importance that they play in our children’s lives. The holidays are steeped in tradition, with every family’s particular version varying widely. But what they all have in common is that they help mark the passage of time, provide moments for introspection and reflection, identify a child’s place in their community, and most importantly, reinforce a child’s sense of security. She states, “Anything positive, done regularly, puts something important in the child’s internal ‘security bank;’ emotional steadiness that can be drawn on in more difficult times.”

Practice: One of our winter traditions at South Campus is our annual Gingerbread House Day. It’s a time when the whole school (grades K-7) comes together to construct sweet fantastical creations. It’s so fun to see how the kids’ creations progress each year as they grow older and more skilled, and we all develop fond memories (teachers included)! What traditions does your family have?