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Easing Holiday Stress with Social Emotional Learning

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The "most wonderful time of the year" can be a source of stress and anxiety for students. From academic pressures to disrupted routines, this time of year can have an impact on emotional wellbeing. Social emotional learning (SEL) can help students navigate the festive season more successfully in the classroom and at home during the holiday break. 

Supporting Students During the Holidays

Teachers play a crucial role in helping students build resilience and manage their emotions. Here are a few SEL strategies for supporting students as the holidays approach:

Make Your Classroom a Safe Space for Expressing Feelings

Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings about the holidays. Use activities, such as journaling or circle time, that allow students to voice their hopes, worries, or excitement. Validating their emotions can reduce feelings of isolation.

Teach Stress-Management Techniques

Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing or guided visualization, can help students learn how to stay calm when faced with overwhelming situations at school or home.

Foster Gratitude

Help your students develop an attitude of gratitude and giving. Daily journaling can provide them with opportunities to reflect upon what they're grateful for. And as a means of giving back to the community, the entire class could sponsor a family for the holiday. Acts of kindness can help students feel good about themselves.  

Maintain Routines

The weeks leading up to the holidays are often chaotic and disruptive. As much as possible, maintain a predictable classroom schedule and prepare students in advance for those moments when routines will be altered.  

How Parents Can Support Their Children's Emotional Wellbeing Over the Holiday Break

Christmas break is something families typically look forward to, but supporting your children's emotional health during that time can help ensure a more positive experience. Here are some ways to help promote your child's wellbeing:  

Prioritize Quality Time

The holidays can be hectic. But carving out moments to connect – whether through family meals, game nights, or simply talking – can help children feel valued and secure.  

Manage Holiday Expectations (Theirs and Yours)

Many of us experience stress during the holidays, children especially. Help them focus on taking pleasure in small moments. Give them – and yourself – time and space to decompress.  

Use SEL Tools at Home

Parents can reinforce SEL skills by practicing mindfulness together or using conversation starters to discuss emotions.  

Building a Bridge Between School and Home

By integrating SEL into the classroom and extending social emotional learning to the home, educators and parents can work together to create a supportive environment for students during the holidays.  

School Day is the best K-12 solution for measuring and managing student wellbeing and social emotional skills and the best means for district leaders and teachers to proactively model wellbeing in the classroom, thereby improving learning results. School Day asks students weekly questions that focus on learning, social relationships, and health. The data is analyzed, furnishing real-time insight, and highlighting what's going well; resources are provided for the areas that need more attention. Request a quote for your school today!  

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