Teacher-Tested Tips for Maintaining Classroom Calm in December

The last few weeks before winter break have a special magic! With festive events and high energy, the classroom routines can start to slip. You can keep the holiday spirit high while still maintaining student expectations.

Here are 9 tips to help your December stay joyful and manageable.

1. Build relationships and acknowledge traditions. Take time to connect with students by learning about their home celebrations. Help students feel seen by recognizing the many rich winter traditions around the world. Rapport and connections go a long way in behavior management.
2. Keep students engaged with meaningful activities. Excitement levels rise in December, so keep students busy with hands-on learning. Make sure tasks are accessible to all learners. If something feels too challenging, offer visuals, partner work, simplified instructions, or task substitution to prevent frustration-based behaviors.
3. Stick to routines when possible. Routines provide stability and predictability. Keep rules and procedures in place, and explain any schedule changes ahead of time. Create a checklist so students can visually track the day.
4. Review expectations frequently. Before starting a new or familiar task, remind students how to use materials, whether to stay seated or move around, the acceptable noise level, and the expected quality of work.
5. Offer teacher-approved choices. Choices increase student ownership. Provide structured options such as where to sit, which activity to start first, or which supplies to use. Allow access to pre-approved fidgets, calm-down corners, and soothing toys.
6. Address behaviors early and privately. Use gentle redirection to nip unwanted behaviors early. If a conversation is needed, pull the student aside to avoid an audience and reduce power struggles.
7. Keep expectations and consequences consistent. Even with holiday fun, expectations for behavior and work quality should remain high. Consistent boundaries help students feel safe and supported.
8. Use movement breaks and model directions. Give students opportunities to release energy with quick movement breaks. When giving directions, model the steps and use a student volunteer to role-play expectations.
9. Communicate with guardians and use positive reinforcement. Keep families informed about events, expectations, and student successes. Positive notes, emails, and phone calls home help maintain momentum through December. Praise and reward often to reinforce desired behaviors and stay focused and festive right up to winter break.

Looking for more ways to keep kids engaged indoors? Check out our list of fun, easy activities to keep kids busy during winter break.