{"id":1335,"date":"2025-12-11T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/?p=1335"},"modified":"2025-11-24T01:12:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T01:12:42","slug":"simple-ways-to-keep-december-calm-in-kindergarten-and-grade-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/?p=1335","title":{"rendered":"Simple Ways to Keep December Calm in Kindergarten and Grade 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1335\" class=\"elementor elementor-1335\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4883e80 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4883e80\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee9e248 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee9e248\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"608\">December is such a special time in early years classrooms \u2014 full of excitement, anticipation, and a <em data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"459\">whole lot<\/em> of energy. Between concerts, celebrations, and routines that feel a little wobbly, it\u2019s totally normal to feel like you\u2019re juggling more than usual.<\/p><p data-start=\"610\" data-end=\"801\">But here\u2019s the good news: December doesn\u2019t need to feel chaotic.<br data-start=\"674\" data-end=\"677\" \/>A few simple shifts can help create a calm, connected, joy-filled learning space for our little learners (and for us, too!).<\/p><p data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"886\">Here are some of the things I lean into every year to keep things running smoothly:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05abf7f e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"05abf7f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d517632 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d517632\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1339\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85dd374 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"85dd374\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/8-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1342\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/8-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/8-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/8-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/8-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/8.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14b9b64 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"14b9b64\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64f0595 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"64f0595\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Build in Predictable, Calming Routines<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-972149b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"972149b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de6d96c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de6d96c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"1076\">Students thrive when they know what\u2019s coming next \u2014 especially during busy seasons.<\/p><p data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"1076\"><br data-start=\"1026\" data-end=\"1029\" \/>A few ideas that help keep the energy grounded:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1265\"><li data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1134\"><p data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1134\">A quiet morning tub (fine motor, loose parts, puzzles)<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1135\" data-end=\"1179\"><p data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1179\">A short movement break after transitions<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1180\" data-end=\"1220\"><p data-start=\"1182\" data-end=\"1220\">A cozy read-aloud right after recess<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1265\"><p data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1265\">A simple clean-up song that signals calm<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1267\" data-end=\"1331\">You don\u2019t need to reinvent routines \u2014 just keep them consistent.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bd6e81 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0bd6e81\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94e2f5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"94e2f5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Choose Activities That Reduce Overwhelm<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92e61e3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"92e61e3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1768a13 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1768a13\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1389\" data-end=\"1451\">This is the time of year when <em data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1432\">simple wins<\/em> every single time.<\/p><p data-start=\"1453\" data-end=\"1479\">Hands-on centres that are:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1480\" data-end=\"1539\"><li data-start=\"1480\" data-end=\"1492\"><p data-start=\"1482\" data-end=\"1492\">low-prep<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1512\"><p data-start=\"1495\" data-end=\"1512\">easy to explain<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1539\"><p data-start=\"1515\" data-end=\"1539\">calming and purposeful<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1541\" data-end=\"1566\">\u2026tend to go the farthest.<\/p><p data-start=\"1568\" data-end=\"1574\">Think:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1675\"><li data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1586\"><p data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1586\">pin art<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1607\"><p data-start=\"1589\" data-end=\"1607\">torn paper trays<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1632\"><p data-start=\"1610\" data-end=\"1632\">building invitations<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1633\" data-end=\"1675\"><p data-start=\"1635\" data-end=\"1675\">patterning with seasonal manipulatives<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1744\">The goal is engagement without ramping up the excitement even more.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6449b68 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6449b68\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa84dff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aa84dff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. Make Space for Connection<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f61fa45 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f61fa45\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-130f712 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"130f712\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"1788\" data-end=\"1908\">December can feel busy for adults, but kids still need the same warmth and predictable connection they rely on all year.<\/p><p data-start=\"1910\" data-end=\"1938\">Small moments go a long way:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1939\" data-end=\"2082\"><li data-start=\"1939\" data-end=\"1996\"><p data-start=\"1941\" data-end=\"1996\">greeting students in the morning in English or French<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"1997\" data-end=\"2033\"><p data-start=\"1999\" data-end=\"2033\">sharing a quick \u201cpeach and pit\u201d<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2082\"><p data-start=\"2036\" data-end=\"2082\">taking two minutes for a silly movement game<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2084\" data-end=\"2167\">These tiny touch points anchor your classroom community \u2014 even on the busiest days.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7becfa6 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7becfa6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9baf03e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9baf03e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1339\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/5.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a7d072 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a7d072\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1340\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39feaf1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"39feaf1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ffc074 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3ffc074\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Use Bilingual Visuals to Support Both Languages<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d069d3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0d069d3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b29cbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b29cbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2233\" data-end=\"2466\">If you, like me, support multiple groups or teach in both languages, visuals are your best friend this time of year. They help reduce extra talking and keep all students confident and independent \u2014 no matter which language day it is.<\/p><p data-start=\"2468\" data-end=\"2488\">A few helpful tools:<\/p><ul data-start=\"2489\" data-end=\"2568\"><li data-start=\"2489\" data-end=\"2516\"><p data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2516\">picture direction cards<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2517\" data-end=\"2547\"><p data-start=\"2519\" data-end=\"2547\">bilingual vocabulary cards<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2548\" data-end=\"2568\"><p data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2568\">visual schedules<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2570\" data-end=\"2631\">A small amount of prep now can make the whole month smoother.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9aedbf4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9aedbf4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59b4f36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"59b4f36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. Protect Your Energy, Too<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1dcb0f6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1dcb0f6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fb5fd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fb5fd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"2674\" data-end=\"2771\">It\u2019s easy to pour into your students and forget about yourself \u2014 but you matter in this equation.<\/p><p data-start=\"2773\" data-end=\"2777\">Try:<\/p><ul data-start=\"2778\" data-end=\"2968\"><li data-start=\"2778\" data-end=\"2826\"><p data-start=\"2780\" data-end=\"2826\">choosing one day to leave right at dismissal<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2827\" data-end=\"2863\"><p data-start=\"2829\" data-end=\"2863\">prepping only what\u2019s <em data-start=\"2850\" data-end=\"2861\">essential<\/em><\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2910\"><p data-start=\"2866\" data-end=\"2910\">saying no to extras that drain your energy<\/p><\/li><li data-start=\"2911\" data-end=\"2968\"><p data-start=\"2913\" data-end=\"2968\">building in tiny moments of quiet between transitions<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2970\" data-end=\"3010\">A calm teacher creates a calm classroom.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da07e48 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"da07e48\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05d31b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"05d31b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/7-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1341\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/7-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/7-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/7-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/7-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/7.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-037785e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"037785e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4-1-1024x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1338\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/4-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8091549 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8091549\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a981d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9a981d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Looking for Calm, Hands-On Activities This Month?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f2e1085 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f2e1085\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-669209a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"669209a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"3074\" data-end=\"3244\">If you want easy, ready-to-go activities that keep students engaged without the overwhelm, check out my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.teacherspayteachers.com\/Product\/Hands-On-Christmas-Centres-Kindergarten-French-CoreBasic-French-and-English-12569174\"><strong data-start=\"3178\" data-end=\"3206\">Hands-On Holiday Centres<\/strong><\/a> available in both English AND French.<\/p><p data-start=\"3246\" data-end=\"3361\">They\u2019re low-prep, fine-motor rich, and a perfect fit for December when attention spans shrink and excitement grows.<\/p><p data-start=\"3363\" data-end=\"3471\">\ud83d\udc49 Browse my holiday activities on TPT right here<br data-start=\"3412\" data-end=\"3415\" \/>(You can send me the specific link you want to include!)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>December is such a special time in early years classrooms \u2014 full of excitement, anticipation, and a whole lot of energy. Between concerts, celebrations, and routines that feel a little wobbly, it\u2019s totally normal to feel like you\u2019re juggling more than usual. But here\u2019s the good news: December doesn\u2019t need to feel chaotic.A few simple shifts can help create a calm, connected, joy-filled learning space for our little learners (and for us, too!). Here are some of the things I lean into every year to keep things running smoothly: 1. Build in Predictable, Calming Routines Students thrive when they know what\u2019s coming next \u2014 especially during busy seasons. A few ideas that help keep the energy grounded: A quiet morning tub (fine motor, loose parts, puzzles) A short movement break after transitions A cozy read-aloud right after recess A simple clean-up song that signals calm You don\u2019t need to reinvent&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/?p=1335\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Simple Ways to Keep December Calm in Kindergarten and Grade 1<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","entry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Simple Ways to Keep December Calm in Kindergarten and Grade 1 - La Petite Classe de Mme. Gibbons<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/?p=1335\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Simple Ways to Keep December Calm in Kindergarten and Grade 1 - La Petite Classe de Mme. Gibbons\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"December is such a special time in early years classrooms \u2014 full of excitement, anticipation, and a whole lot of energy. Between concerts, celebrations, and routines that feel a little wobbly, it\u2019s totally normal to feel like you\u2019re juggling more than usual. But here\u2019s the good news: December doesn\u2019t need to feel chaotic.A few simple shifts can help create a calm, connected, joy-filled learning space for our little learners (and for us, too!). Here are some of the things I lean into every year to keep things running smoothly: 1. Build in Predictable, Calming Routines Students thrive when they know what\u2019s coming next \u2014 especially during busy seasons. A few ideas that help keep the energy grounded: A quiet morning tub (fine motor, loose parts, puzzles) A short movement break after transitions A cozy read-aloud right after recess A simple clean-up song that signals calm You don\u2019t need to reinvent&#8230;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/?p=1335\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"La Petite Classe de Mme. 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Between concerts, celebrations, and routines that feel a little wobbly, it\u2019s totally normal to feel like you\u2019re juggling more than usual. But here\u2019s the good news: December doesn\u2019t need to feel chaotic.A few simple&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1335"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1345,"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335\/revisions\/1345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapetiteclassedemmeg.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}