December can be a full season—full of change, excitement, overstimulation, unpredictable schedules, emotional memories, and expectations they can’t quite name. Kids don’t have the words, so their bodies and behaviors speak for them.

It’s not misbehavior, attitude or “regression.” It’s their nervous system whispering, “Something is too much right now.”

Wintering asks us to listen—not just to what children need, but to what we need as well.

Because when adults model slowing down with intention, children experience something powerful: rest is not a reward—it's a rhythm.

A listening school isn’t one with the loudest programs or the most polished newsletters—it’s one that practices curiosity and empathy in every interaction. It’s where families feel safe to ask, share, and even disagree, without fear of being dismissed.