Starting the Year Strong: Goal-Setting Strategies for Families with Special-Needs Children

By Meshell Baylor, MHS, MSW

“Every sunset is an opportunity to reset.” — Richie Norton

As we close the chapter of 2025 and prepare to welcome a new season of growth, many of us look back and reflect on everything we've overcome and accomplished as caregivers of exceptional children. Throughout the year, you navigated the storms of diagnoses, clinical assessments, evaluations, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. You stood tall through frustration, uncertainty, and exhaustion. You showed up—again and again—for your child.

Picture yourself now: hands on your hips, chin high, cape behind you. That is the strength of a parent advocating for a child with special needs. That is the power you carry into 2026.

But as we move into a new year, we also face new challenges—especially when we return from winter break. Research shows that children often lose valuable skills during extended time off, and this learning loss can be even more significant for exceptional learners. As refreshing as the holidays are, the transition back into routines, schedules, and IEP goals can take effort and creativity.

The good news? Parents and caregivers can make that transition smoother, more fun, and more meaningful. The world becomes your classroom. Moments become lessons. Adventures become skill-building opportunities.

When my own children were on winter break, I made sure they had learning packets tailored to their IEP goals. If expressive and receptive language were part of their plan, we didn’t just work on them at home; we brought those goals everywhere. A day at the zoo became a language-rich field trip: naming animals, identifying colors, describing sounds, using words, gestures, or any mode of expression.

Because when learning feels like playing, it no longer feels like work.

Creative Ways to Keep Exceptional Learners Engaged After Winter Break

Free Field Trips with Purpose

Science centers, zoos, nature trails, and community museums can become powerful learning environments. Instead of worksheets at a table, children explore with their hands, eyes, ears, and imagination. Bring their IEP goals with you and turn real-world experiences into lessons full of wonder and discovery.

Visit the Past: Learning Tools That Last

There’s beauty in revisiting the educational staples you grew up with. Whether it was colorful songs, vibrant storytelling, or rhythmic learning videos, these timeless tools can still ignite your child’s curiosity. Pair your old favorites with new, modern programs to create a learning experience both nostalgic and exciting.

Online Learning Games: When in Doubt, Play It Out

Interactive online games can reinforce literacy, math, speech, typing, memory, and problem-solving skills. Fun becomes motivation. Play becomes the teacher. These platforms are especially helpful during breaks or transitions back to school.

Connect With Community Supports

Regional centers, multi-service centers, and parent resource networks offer guidance, workshops, support groups, and tools to help navigate special education more easily. Don’t walk this path alone—use the village around you.

Make It a Family Affair

Turn everyday home activities into meaningful learning opportunities. Cooking can teach sequencing and vocabulary. Sorting laundry can teach categorization. Grocery shopping can spark communication and real-world practice. When learning becomes part of life, progress feels natural and joyful.

Music: A Powerful Teacher

Music has a magical way of capturing attention, boosting memory, and encouraging expression. Use educational songs that reinforce letters, numbers, routines, and social skills. Let your child dance, move, sing, and learn all at once.

For Exceptional Teens Stepping Into Their Future

If you have a teen preparing for life after high school, the new year is a perfect time to explore college fairs, technical programs, and transition resources. Events like inclusive college expos help teens envision their future and discover new opportunities. Exposure builds confidence—and confidence builds dreams.

A Year of Growth, Courage, and New Beginnings

As we step into 2026, may every exceptional family feel empowered, renewed, and inspired. The new year brings the promise of so many extraordinary adventures—not just for your exceptional child, but for your entire family. It means you are one step closer to completing another grade level, one step closer to achieving IEP goals, one step closer to celebrating milestones you once only hoped for.

Progress often shows up in the smallest victories:

• A new word

• A new skill

• A calmer moment

• A brave attempt

• A joyful breakthrough

These moments matter. They are the heartbeat of your child’s growth.

Remember: every challenge you faced last year prepared you for the victories ahead. Every meeting, every setback, every breakthrough, and every effort have brought you to this new beginning. Your dedication is the foundation of your child’s success. Your courage fuels their courage.

As this year unfolds, may you find strength in the journey, hope in the small steps, and joy in watching your exceptional child rise higher than ever. Celebrate every accomplishment, no matter how big or small, because each one is a monumental testament to resilience, love, and unshakeable belief.

Here’s to a year filled with bold courage, beautiful growth, and breathtaking new beginnings.

Here’s to you, your exceptional child, and the extraordinary story you’re writing together.

You are capable. Your child is capable. And this year is full of promise.

References

Starfall – https://www.starfall.com

Reading Rainbow – https://readingrainbow.com

Sesame Street (Streaming via Max/HBO) – https://www.max.com

Black College Expo / Latino College Expo – https://www.thecollegeexpo.org

The Implementation of a Reading Intervention During Winter Break and the Role of Parent Involvement for Children Receiving Special Education Services

Meshell Baylor, MHS, MSW, is a mother of four children—two of whom are on the autism spectrum. She serves her community as a social worker and advocate in the Los Angeles area. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Springfield College and a Master’s in Human and Social Services. Meshell continues volunteering and giving within her local area while serving the special needs community.

Website: https://meshellbaylor.wixsite.com/websiteInstagram: instagram.com/imalittlebigbCenter for Autism and Developmental Disabilities snnla.org/c-a-d-d/