Why the Holidays Are a Perfect Time to Practice the Crucial Executive Function Skill of Perspective Taking (and How to Do It)
If your child struggles with understanding others’ viewpoints, big emotional reactions, or flexible thinking, these moments can become powerful learning opportunities.
The holidays and gift-giving seasons bring excitement, traditions, and big emotions—but they also bring some natural opportunities to work on executive functioning skills. One skill in particular that has come to mind during this season is perspective taking.
Perspective taking is the ability to understand that other people have thoughts, feelings, preferences, and expectations that may be different from our own. This skill is foundational for social relationships, emotional regulation, and flexible thinking—and it’s one we often support in therapy.
Why giving gifts is such a great time to practice perspective taking
1. There are built-in social expectations
During holidays, people are asked to:
Think about what someone else might like
Follow traditions that may not be their favorite
Adjust to others’ schedules, routines, and emotions
These moments gently push us to look outside of our own wants—an essential EF skill.
2. Gift giving naturally invites “thinking about others”
Choosing or making a gift requires people to ask:
What does this person like?
What would make them feel happy or appreciated?
How is this different from what I would want?
This is perspective taking in action—without it feeling like “work.”
3. Real emotions show up (on both sides!)
Holidays bring:
Excitement
Disappointment
Surprise
Gratitude
Navigating these emotions—especially when they don’t match expectations—helps us practice understanding how our reactions impact others and how others may experience the same moment differently.
How families can practice perspective taking during the holidays
You don’t need worksheets or formal activities—just intentional conversations.
Before gift giving
“What do you know about this person?”
“What do they enjoy doing?”
“How might they feel when they open this?”
“Can you picture this person using your gift?”
During events
“How do you think Grandma feels when everyone comes over?”
“Your cousin seems to be having a big feeling—what might be going on for them?”
After the holiday
“Which gift do you think meant the most to the other person?”
“Was there a moment when someone felt differently than you did?”
If things don’t go as planned
These moments are especially powerful:
“You were disappointed—how do you think the giver felt?”
“What could we do differently next time?”
Why this matters
Perspective taking supports:
Stronger friendships and relationships
Better emotional regulation
Increased flexibility
More meaningful connections
And when practiced during meaningful, real-life moments—like the holidays—it’s more likely to resonate.
If your child struggles with understanding others’ viewpoints, big emotional reactions, or flexible thinking, these moments can become powerful learning opportunities.
And as always, we’re here to help guide you through them!
Have questions or want to learn more about how we support individuals working on these skills? Reach out to us! We’re here for you.