How To Help Manage Behavior in The Classroom During the Holidays 

Upcoming holidays can be exciting and overwhelming for many students, leading to changes in classroom behavior. Holiday anticipation and excitement can make it difficult for students to continue to learn. 

At Pediatric Therapeutic Services (PTS), we support teachers and administrators by working with school-based providers who receive training to help students stay on track, maximize their educational potential, and manage their emotions during the holidays. 

Managing Holiday Behavior 

1. 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. 

2. 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. 

3. 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 Partnered Schools 

Schools partnered with PTS will have access to our 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 

Why do students’ behaviors tend to change around the holidays? 

The excitement and anticipation of upcoming holidays can be emotionally overwhelming for some students. These heightened feelings may lead to increased energy, distractibility, or difficulty following classroom routines. 

Are festive lesson elements helpful or distracting? 

When used purposefully, festive themes can actually help increase engagement. Integrating seasonal topics into lessons can motivate students while still reinforcing academic goals. 

Why is maintaining a consistent routine especially important during the holidays? 

Consistency helps prevent the development of unwanted behaviors. Holding students to regular expectations—even as break approaches—keeps them focused and reduces stress caused by uncertainty or change. 

Support Students During the Holidays at School Alongside PTS 

As a school-based provider working alongside PTS, you can help students enjoy the holidays while still maximizing their educational opportunities. We’re dedicated to helping teachers and administrators in our partnering districts create an excellent learning environment for all children. 

If you’re interested in becoming a school-based provider, explore our openings today. 

*Source: Smart Classroom Management