EYFS and KS1 - Top Tips for Supporting Behaviour at Christmas time

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Have you ever noticed that as Christmas draws closer, the excitement of the children sort of spills into that slightly more hysterical, dysregulated type of behaviour and actually it starts to feel… not fun?

Here are some tips to support children during this time so that it can be enjoyable!

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1. Consistency is key

Stay on timetable as much as you can. What!? Yes, it might seem like not bothering with that phonics session is worth it but actually children thrive on routine. So stick to it. If it feels like their concentration levels are dwindling, particularly in that last week, then still keep your phonics session, but make it more a recap rather than a new sound or new tricky words. Keep in mind that children get used to their regular routine of for example phonics, learn through play, maths. You can add elements of Christmas into these – see tip 3 – but on the whole children will respond better to consistency and simplicity.

Sometimes, even things like practising letter formation and handwriting or simple maths counting style activities can actually be quite soothing and calming, because they are repetitive and the brain isn’t having to overthink. We have some great resources here:

Eyfs Phase 2 Set 1 Letter Formation Worksheets Resource | Classroom Secrets

Eyfs Winter Maths Activities Resource | Classroom Secrets

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2. Prepare children for change

Did I mention that children thrive off routine? It makes them feel safe and secure and able to keep that sense and order of their world. But hey, it’s Christmas time, we’ve got performances, crafts days, jumper days, singing, theatre trips etc to be doing! Ok, then in this instance preparation is essential. How do we do this? Continue to use your visual timetable during the day but at the end of the day think about the main highlights of the following day. What will tomorrow look like? What will this feel like? What might the children worry about? What could reassure them? If you are using Now and Next boards, then continue to be consistent with them.

Children in Nursery and Reception may be having to experience their first performance in front of people ever. That’s a big deal. Talk about the performance and what to expect. Ensure that you explain what will happen after the performance. Often it can be a shock for children who think they might be going home and then suddenly find out that they aren’t!

Eyfs Daily Visual Timetable Resource | Classroom Secrets

https://classroomsecrets.co.uk/resource/ks1-visual-timetable

Visual classroom timers can also be really useful so that children are aware of how long an activity will last for. This again gives them some guidance and reassurance as to what to expect.

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3. Dedicate set times and areas for ‘Christmas’

If you are based in EYFS or Year 1… or any year group actually, then traditionally, this is the time of year for constant crafts and glitter explosions! But actually, it doesn’t have to be like that. Explain to the children that the morning for example, will be just a normal morning but for an hour in the afternoon you will be doing Christmas crafts. Thinking about your areas, you can choose a few designated Christmassy ideas to enhance your provision but also organise your continuous provision so that some areas stay exactly the same. As stated in tip number 2, prepare the children for which areas of the classroom might change areas. There are some simple but great ideas in here.

Eyfs Christmas Provision Enhancement Resource | Classroom Secrets

Sometimes, it can feel like we must try to fit everything into the curriculum but you can still include lots of this with our Christmas themed Maths, Phonics and Literacy resources.

Eyfs Christmas Literacy Activities Resource | Classroom Secrets

Eyfs Christmas Mixed Maths Resource | Classroom Secrets

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4. Prioritise Personal, Social and Emotional Development!

Christmas becomes a time of year when expectations are high and emotions can be challenging to manage – from both children and adults. It actually makes it an essential time of year to keep recapping emotional literacy and the theme of kindness. So continue with circle time sessions and consider dedicated sessions to emotional literacy by reading books such as:

The Last Egg by Sofia Laguna and Jess Racklyeft

As winter arrives, two birds discover an unusual egg in their nest. They decide to protect it against the winter elements. This beautiful story explores the themes of patience, courage, care and hope.

The Boy, the Troll and the Chalk by Anne Booth and David Litchfield This story presents the idea of a boy who is afraid of a troll in the playground but after finding a way to communicate with the troll through the power of art they become friends. It explores patience, empathy and kindness.

Kindness Grows by Britta Teckentrup

This story examines the different choices that we make and how they impact others. The illustrations are beautiful and thought provoking.

As well as stories ensure that you dedicate time for talk and discussion relating to emotions and how we can regulate ourselves but also discuss what is kindness and what is empathy?

We offer two brilliant I Wonder Discussion Prompts that relate to managing and understanding our emotions and also explore what it means to be kind.

Eyfs Kindness I Wonder Discussion Prompts Resource | Classroom Secrets

Eyfs Feelings And Emotions I Wonder Discussion Prompts Resource | Classroom Secrets

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5. Celebrate successes (even the tiny ones)

You may feel like the maths concept that you just taught didn’t go in or that the new phonics sound just completely baffled them. But, there is always tomorrow and also is very likely that they will remember the story that you told or the praise that you gave them or even sometimes maybe it was just that you gave them an encouraging smile or thumbs up. That is still success!

Remember to check in with your colleagues too to see how they are keeping and try to give each other a little lift. This could be a simple encouraging smile and a thumbs up or a nice way to give a little boost to a colleague is to use our ‘Mini Awards.’ Pop one on someone’s desk to congratulate them on that amazing Nativity rehearsal, the way they stayed really calm when a child was dysregulated or just simply for the fact that they made it to the end of the day!

Spread Some Kindness Mini Awards Resource | Classroom Secrets

Finally, it can be a magical and wonderful time of year but no-one ever really refers to Christmas as ‘relaxing’ do they? Remember that is it very normal for behaviour to not be perfect (even really just good) at this time of year. Aim to put these tips in place and ask others for advice and support if you need it.

It is also essential that you make sure that you are taking care of yourself and filling your own cup too! That might mean setting some boundaries and leaving early one evening or doing something really creative and completely non-teaching related one evening or over the weekends.

Good luck and Merry Christmas you amazing heroes!