Managing behavior in the classroom during the holidays. 

Managing classroom behavior during the holidays can be challenging for teachers as some students are excited—and can even be overwhelmed. Holiday anticipation can make it difficult for students to continue to learn. 

Key Takeaways

• Holiday excitement can disrupt behavior, making it harder for students to stay focused and follow routines.
• Clear expectations and consistent rules help maintain a structured, productive classroom environment.
• Festive learning activities can boost engagement when used intentionally.
• Frequent mental and physical breaks help students reset, manage energy, and stay on task.
• Maintaining a consistent routine reduces anxiety and prevents off-task behavior during seasonal changes.

Set clear expectations and continue to encourage learning. 

Students excited for the holidays may occasionally forget classroom rules. As the holiday season approaches, it can be helpful to establish clear expectations with your students. Let them know that the classroom will still be a space for learning as the holidays approach. Consider taking some time to have students help you create the classroom rules and expectations that you will all follow. 

Encouraging learning is integral to ensuring kids get the most out of their education. Incorporating festive details into the lessons may help hold students’ attention and motivate them to get more involved. Reinforce good behavior and opportunities for learning as you see them happen. 

Take more breaks.

While consistency is important in the classroom, incorporating more frequent brain breaks around the holidays can help students re-center and expend excess energy. You can split these breaks into two categories: mental and physical breaks. Breaks don’t have to be long, just enough to help students reset. 

During mental breaks, give students time to decompress from the most recent lesson or share their thoughts or feelings about a particular lesson that day. Some students may want some quiet time to read or say hello to a friend from the other side of the classroom. 

Physical breaks and sensory rooms provide a great opportunity to encourage students to get up and expend some of their excess energy. Stretching, small yoga lessons, or even a quick dance session can let students have a little fun before settling back down to focus. 

Keep a consistent routine in the classroom. 

Around the holidays, it is common for educators to ask less of their students, which can unintentionally encourage off-task behavior or disrupt the learning environment. Maintaining a consistent routine is key to helping students stay focused and feel secure, even during a busy season.* When students know what to expect each day, they are more likely to engage positively and less likely to act out. 

Start by keeping your daily schedule as predictable as possible. If certain activities or lessons need to be adjusted for holiday events, provide clear communication ahead of time so students aren’t surprised by the change. Visual schedules, classroom charts, or verbal reminders can help reinforce the routine and keep students oriented throughout the day. 

Consistency also extends to classroom rules and expectations. Continue to enforce behavior guidelines and make sure that positive reinforcement is applied fairly and regularly. Students respond well to recognition and praise when they follow routines correctly, which can create a cycle of positive behavior during a time when distractions are plentiful. 

Supports for our partner schools. 

At Kelly Pediatric Therapy, we work with schools across the country to deliver Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. This approach provides support to students in three tiers: 

• Supports available to all students 

• Targeted Supports, such as small groups or classroom-based strategies 

• More intensive, individualized support for individual students 

With support from school-based providers, teachers can better monitor smaller groups of students based on their individual needs and identify those who need more attention during the holidays.  

FAQs 

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If you're looking to move forward in your professional career in a way that supports growth, balance, and impact—consider working with us as a school-based therapist.

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*Source: Smart Classroom Management