If you’re traveling over the holidays and you have a visual-spatial learner or an anxious child, you may notice worry creeping in long before the bags are packed. These children think in pictures, and when the picture is unclear, their mind often fills in the blanks—usually with something negative.
After helping thousands of families (and having lived this with our own visual-spatial learners), we’ve learned that the right preparation can turn holiday travel from stressful… into surprisingly smooth.
Before we share the 7 tips, here are three key truths:
1. Visual-spatial learners create mental movies—often negative ones.
If they don’t know what’s coming, they imagine it… and the imagined version is often much scarier than reality.
2. Prior planning—and involving your child—reduces anxiety dramatically.
When they can see what will happen, the “unknowns” shrink and their confidence grows.
3. Your calm, clear communication sets the tone.
Telling your child what you want, why it matters, and doing so with empathy helps them feel safe and capable.
7 Tips for a Better Holiday Vacation
1. Create a Visual Travel Plan
Show your child pictures of where you’re going—airport, hotel, relatives’ home, activities.
A simple image-based travel map (even drawn on paper) helps them visualize the experience before it happens.
2. Walk Them Through the Schedule
Visual-spatial learners love predictability in unfamiliar situations. (Google can be your friend!!)
Share:
- When you’ll leave, just be sure you do not emphasize how long the trip might be, so that they don’t persevere on that — times can be unpredictable – and remember their sense of time can be off!!
- What the trip will look like step-by-step as much as possible – but emphasize that things might change – as travel is always an adventure!
- They take their cues from you – if they sense you are stressed or anxious they will be as well. Turn that frustration into a positive adventure. Maybe they will find new friends or a new place to visit or make up a new game.
- Where you’ll sleep, eat, and play. Keep it simple but concrete.
Keep it simple, but concrete.
3. Give Them a “Job” or Role
Purpose reduces anxiety. Examples:
- Be the “bag checker”
- Be the “airport helper”
- Be the “snack manager”
4. Build in Movement & Sensory Breaks
These children often need:
- Movement
- Deep pressure
- A quiet moment away from stimulation
5. Pack a Comfort Kit
Include items that soothe or engage their visual brain: be sure you include snacks and drink! Pack a few extra that they don’t know about too!!
- Fidgets
- Headphones
- A favorite book
- Visual puzzles
- A small stuffed animal
6. Preview Social Situations
Crowds, relatives, and noise can feel unpredictable.
Tell your child who will be there, what typical conversations might sound like, and where they can go if they need a break.
7. Celebrate Small Wins Along the Way
Notice and praise even little steps:
- “You handled that line so calmly!”
- “You were flexible when the plan changed—great job.”
Positive reinforcement builds resilience and confidence.
Have a Great Holiday Season and a Terrific New Year!!!
