Creating Moments of Calm in the Weeks Before Winter Break

Teaching in the weeks before winter break can feel like herding reindeer—students are buzzing with excitement, focus is fleeting, and even teachers are counting down the days. I used to meet that energy with more structure and reminders, but I eventually learned that what my class—and I—needed most was classroom calm.

Creating classroom calm didn’t mean slowing down; it meant weaving in simple, mindful moments that helped us pause, reset, and reconnect. In my upper elementary classroom, those quick practices—like one-minute breathing breaks and quiet gratitude circles—became our anchors during December’s chaos, bringing back focus, balance, and joy.

7 WAYS TO CREATE CALM AROUND THE HOLIDAYS

1. A quiet start to the day. Instead of beginning every morning with chatter or directions, sometimes we started with what I called a “Quiet Start.” The lights were dim, calm music played, and a simple message greeted students on the board:

“Good morning! Get comfortable, quiet your mind, and take a few minutes to jot down one thing that feels good about today.”

Some students journaled, others colored mindfulness mandalas, and a few simply sat and breathed. Those quiet five to 10 minutes set the tone for the entire day. Over time, I noticed students entering more peacefully—even the ones who used to burst through the door full of energy. The Quiet Start gave everyone space to transition and became the foundation of our classroom calm every December.

2. Quick breathing breaks. A simple “take a deep breath” rarely works when students are overstimulated. What did work were short, creative breathing exercises we practiced together. Here are a few of my go-tos:

• Snowflake Breath: Imagine a soft snowflake drifting through the air—breathe in as it floats toward you and breathe out to blow it gently away.
• Hot Cocoa Breath: Inhale slowly to smell the cocoa, then exhale gently to cool it down.
• Gift Box Breath: Inhale, hold, exhale, and pause for four counts each, tracing a square gift box in the air.

We’d use these between subjects or after recess—one minute of focused breathing, and the classroom energy would shift. Soon, students started asking for them: “Can we do a Snowflake Breath before math?” That was when I knew classroom calm had become a habit, not just a strategy.

3. Micro-movement between lessons. In December, sitting still can feel impossible. So instead of fighting the wiggles, I planned for them. We added micro-movements between transitions—quick, structured, and fun:

• Stretch and Switch: Stand tall, reach for the ceiling, touch your toes, roll your shoulders, then switch to the next task.
• Balance Challenge: Stand on one foot for 10 seconds, then the other. Make it harder by encouraging students to try it with their eyes closed.
• Mindful Walking: On the way to specialists, we’d walk in silence, noticing our footsteps and the movement of the group. Students learned to observe, adjust, and communicate without speaking.

These small yet effective types of movement didn’t just help students focus; they reminded them that calm and energy can coexist. Movement became part of how we sustained our sense of balance and focus.

4. Sound to silence. One of our favorite mindfulness moments involved a simple activity: I would turn on a song and slowly lower the volume. Students knew to close their eyes and raise their hands when they could no longer hear the sound. Then we’d sit for a few extra seconds of silence before resuming class.

That brief pause grounded everyone. Sometimes, we followed it with a reflection: “How did that silence feel?” It helped them recognize that calm isn’t something that happens to you—it’s something you can choose to create.

5. Friday gratitude circles. Fridays in December can feel like controlled chaos, so we ended each week with a gratitude circle. Sitting together, we passed a small stone and shared one thing we were thankful for. Answers ranged from “I finished my project” to “I loved the class read-aloud.”

At first, it was a quick closing routine. But soon, students began looking forward to it, remembering the kindnesses and small joys from their week. Gratitude naturally slowed our pace and deepened our sense of connection. It became one of the strongest drivers of classroom calm.

6. The Calm Corner. Even with mindful breaks, some students still needed space to reset independently. That was where our Calm Corner came in. It was a small nook with a soft rug, a beanbag chair, a basket of fidgets, and reflection cards with prompts like these:

• “What emotion are you feeling right now?”
• “What can help you feel a little better?”

Any student could use the Calm Corner for up to 10 minutes—no permission or explanation needed. The expectation was simple: take care of yourself, then rejoin the group when ready. Instead of becoming a spot for avoidance, it turned into a trusted tool for self-regulation.

7. A mindful transition into winter break. On the last day before break, instead of rushing through activities, I guided my students through a quiet reflection called “What I’m Taking With Me.” Each child wrote or drew something they were proud of learning or feeling that term.

We dimmed the lights, turned on soft music, and let the flicker of battery-powered candles fill the room. The mood was calm and content. When we pause together, even at the busiest times, gratitude rises naturally, and learning feels complete.

Bring Calm to the Core of Classroom Culture

These simple practices—breathing, movement, gratitude, and stillness—don’t just help us survive December; they help us thrive all year. Classroom calm begins with us, one mindful moment at a time. When I finally chose connection over control, I realized that was when my students truly learned to do the same.