19 January 2026

December sparkles, but January brings the reset.
The festive whirlwind has passed, routines return, days feel long, and young children can experience a big shift in energy, emotions, and behaviour. Parents and practitioners often describe January as a “slow month” — darker mornings, colder days, and the readjustment after Christmas can feel like a wobble for adults and children alike.

That’s why our January Policy of the Month focuses on Mental Health and Wellbeing — for our children and for our staff team here at Scallywags.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆

After Christmas, children return with:

• disrupted sleep patterns
• overstimulation
• changes in diet
• high emotions
• time away from familiar routines
• less time outdoors
• separation anxieties resurfacing

Staff also return after a busy December, winter weather, and shorter days — often feeling tired or flat themselves.

At Scallywags, we believe that supporting wellbeing is not something “added on” — it is woven into everything we do, especially at this time of year.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝘆𝗴𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗺

Inspired by Hygge — warmth, comfort, simplicity — we make our environment especially cosy in January:
🕯 soft lighting and lamps
🧣 blankets and cushions
🎶 gentle background music
📚 quiet story corners
🌿 natural textures and sensory play
🫖 warm drinks and calm rituals

Hygge helps children and adults feel grounded, safe, and soothed during a month that can otherwise feel heavy or cold.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴

Even in frosty weather, our Forest School ethos plays a huge role in maintaining positive mental health:

• fresh air reduces stress
• movement supports emotional regulation
• natural spaces encourage mindfulness
• children feel freedom and independence
• staff benefit from being outdoors too

A simple winter walk, listening to birds, noticing ice patterns or bare branches — nature gives us space to breathe.

𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

Young children can’t always express how they feel, so we see emotions through behaviour.
In January, you may notice:

• clinginess
• tears at drop-off
• big feelings over small things
• tiredness
• “I don’t want to” moments
• difficulty separating after time at home
• sensory sensitivity

This is normal.
This is developmentally expected.
And with the right support, it passes.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗴𝘀

Our team are trained in co-regulation, connection, and emotional development. In January we focus even more on:

✨ Extra comfort and reassurance
✨ Gentle transitions back into routine
✨ Predictable structure to the day
✨ Calming, low-stimulation play
✨ Emotion coaching (“I can see you’re feeling sad… I’m here.”)
✨ Mindfulness moments
✨ Hygge-inspired reading, snuggling, and sensory play
✨ Outdoor time for grounding

We use tools such as:
The Colour Monster, Feeling Faces, calm jars, breathing prompts, visual timetables, and mirrors to support emotional literacy.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲

Parents often feel January stress too — work routines return, budgets feel tighter, and everyone is tired.
Here are some gentle ideas to support your child’s (and your own!) wellbeing at home:

🕯 1. Keep things simple

Reduce overstimulation. Slow, cosy play works wonders.

😴 2. Bring predictable routines back

Consistent sleep and mealtime patterns help children feel safe.

🧣 3. Add your own Hygge

Dim lights, warm baths, cuddles, cosy corners.

🌲 4. Get outside daily

Even 10 minutes improves mood.

🗣 5. Talk about feelings

Reflect with them:
“It’s hard getting back into routine. I feel tired too.”

💞 6. Offer connection before correction

A hug regulates the nervous system quicker than any words.

⏳ 7. Allow time

Mornings feel harder after holidays. Slow starts reduce stress.

🫶 8. Be kind to yourself

Children thrive when the adults around them feel supported too.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗳𝗳 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗴𝘀

Our January policy also highlights the importance of staff mental health.
We support our team through:

• supervision sessions
• manageable workloads
• signposting to external support
• mindfulness, yoga, and movement breaks
• Forest School experiences
• open communication
• a culture free from stigma

When staff feel well, children feel well.

𝗔 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿

At Scallywags, we want January to feel:
🌱 calm
🌟 supportive
🕯 cosy
🌲 grounding
💛 emotionally safe

For children.
For parents.
For staff.

Together, we can make the return to routine a positive, nurturing experience that sets the tone for a wonderful year ahead.

Mental health blog written by Demi Eastment