Holiday Considerations
It is important for all individuals working in schools to be aware of the varying responses students and adults can have around the holidays. While you may find the holidays a joyful time of year, others may feel the opposite. For some, the holidays are a time of stress, concern, and deep sadness. The loss of a loved one, changes in traditions, feelings of isolation, changes to the daily routine, concern about food and/or safety, and lack of resources can cause this to be a very stressful time of the year.
Students may not be able to recognize that they are struggling with the upcoming holiday and may have a change in typical behaviors. You may notice that students become withdrawn, short-tempered, easily overwhelmed, and overly excited, or they may have difficulty managing their emotions. While this can lead to frustration, it is important to try to reframe our thinking and consider the factors that are impacting the students' behaviors.
Mental health experts have published several resources to identify ways we can support all students. Below is a summary of some of the most common ideas to try and activities to avoid. After reviewing the lists, reflect on your current practices. Are there any additions or changes you want to make?
| Ideas to Try | Activities to Avoid |
| Incorporating exercise and movement into your lessons. Regular exercise can help decrease feelings of sadness. | Assigning assignments or writing topics related to holiday traditions or gifts received/given without an alternative option available. |
| Reading texts and incorporating visuals highlighting various family structures and nontraditional ways of spending the holidays. Ensure your students have opportunities to see their experiences as not being the “right” or “wrong” way. | Refrain from asking direct questions to students, especially in front of others, about how they are spending their holiday break. |
| Encourage students to feel their feelings! Help them name their feelings and discuss ways to cope. | Making statements that have an underlying assumption that holidays are a great and enjoyable time for all. Check in with yourself about how you converse with students (“I bet you had an awesome break!”). |
| Begin each day or class period with time to think about what each student is grateful for. Try to focus on experiences, relationships, or memories that they are grateful for. | |
| Focus on using greetings and statements that provide students with reminders of the supportiveness of your building and classroom (“I’m glad to have you back after our break” versus “How was your break?”). |
In addition to the above-mentioned ideas to try and activities to avoid, here are some simple steps to take today with your students. These suggestions can help foster social-emotional skills while also preparing them to handle whatever is coming their way over the holidays.
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Help Students Understand. Start by having a developmentally appropriate conversation with students about different emotions during this time of year. Talk about how they are feeling, listen to them, and validate their feelings by telling them it is ok to feel that way.
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Promote a Growth Mindset. Encourage students to notice when they are experiencing negative thinking or are getting stuck in an emotion. Help them learn strategies to challenge their view and focus on the positives.
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Start a Daily Check-In. If you don’t already start your day or class with an emotional check-in, now may be a great time to start. Give students time to share their feelings and talk through those emotions while reminding them of coping strategies. This can increase the teacher/student relationship and help students feel more connected to their class. Some students may not be comfortable sharing, which is ok.
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Discuss Social Media. Help students understand the negative impact of social media. Teach them to be mindful of how they feel when they are on social media. Reinforce the message that social media only tells part of someone’s story and it's the part that shows them in their best light. We want to discourage comparing ourselves to others.
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Be Present. Some students may not have another adult they feel safe talking to and may reach out to you. When a student opens up to you, validate their emotions and help them work through them. Statements like, “Thank you for telling me about this” and “It’s okay to feel sad/upset/disappointed/angry” can let a student know you are listening and care about them. If you feel like the student needs additional support, you have concerns about their safety or feel unsure of your ability to support them, reach out to other members of your school team like your school counselor, school social worker, or other similar roles.
Overall, it is important to let students know that their feelings are valid and it is ok to feel what they are feeling. The best thing we can do is be supportive and ensure that their classroom is a safe and accepting place for them.
If you have any additional questions or concerns about supporting your students over the holidays, please feel free to reach out to one of the Keystone AEA SEBH Consultants.
ReferencesAperture Education. (2020) 2020 Winter SEL Guide: SEL Support for Students and Teachers During the Winter Break. Accessed on 12/9/22.
Creekmore, Michael E., Helping Students Navigate the Holiday Blues. (12/14/21). Accessed on 12/9/22. https://www.goguardian.com/blog/helping-students-navigate-the-holiday-blues
Payne, Ruby. Why Can the Holidays be so Stressful and Dreaded by Students? (12/10/19). Accessed on 12/9/22. https://www.ahaprocess.com/why-can-the-holidays-be-so-stressful-and-dreaded-by-students/
Keystone Contacts:
Keystone is here is support you! If you would like help supporting your students' SEBH needs, please reach out to us.
Patricia Lehmann
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