Why Children Need Predictable Routines During the Holiday Season
- Melissa McCall
- Dec 5
- 5 min read
That Time I Tried to Skip the Welcome Song
Every time I walk into my threes or fours classes for literacy enrichment, we begin the exact same way: with our welcome song... Little Hands by Jack Hartmann.
We stand up. We tap. We move together. And just like that, the whole group shifts into learning mode.
It’s our routine, our way of saying, “We’re here together. Let’s begin.”
But just the other day, I was running behind, rushing from one classroom to the next, and I thought, You know what? I’ll skip the song today and jump straight into the lesson.
Well… that was a big no-go.
The moment I started teaching, the room erupted: “Wait! Why aren’t we doing Little Hands?” “Where’s our song?” "Why aren't we doing our song?"
Of course! Because that was our routine, and routines matter deeply to young children. They anchor the day. They signal what comes next. They create safety and predictability, and honestly, the brain loves them.
So I paused, grabbed my speaker, and did a quick, shortened version of our welcome song. Within seconds, the energy shifted. The children settled and their bodies regulated. Their brains said, Ah. Now we can learn.
As we head into December, the month of extra crafts and holiday parties, this moment has been on my mind.
December is full of magic. But it’s also full of disruption. And when life gets busy, routines become even more important.
So, before we dive into all things festive, let’s pause, reflect, and maybe even pivot our plans. Instead of filling the month with more, what if we focused on what children actually need during holiday seasons? A little holiday sparkle goes a long way. A lot of steady predictable routine goes even further. Let's dive into how to do both!
Why Predictability Matters This Month (and Always)!
When the world around a child becomes unpredictable, their brain shifts into “alert mode.” They scan for what’s coming next. They work harder to feel safe. It’s not misbehavior...it’s biology.
Routine brings that alert system down. Daily rhythms give children something solid to hold onto. Your structure tells their brain:
“You’re okay. You know this. You’ve been here before.”
And when a child feels safe, everything else improves:
They listen more deeply because their attention isn’t split.
They participate more fully because they’re not bracing for surprises.
They access language more easily because their brain is calm.
They stay regulated longer because the environment isn’t demanding extra effort.
They can actually learn instead of spending energy on managing chaos.
Children’s brains develop best when their daily experiences are predictable and supported by responsive adults. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard explains that stable, consistent environments help build strong brain architecture...the foundation for learning and self-regulation (Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University, 2024).
This is especially true in December, when predictability outside of school becomes much harder for children to find.
When your classroom rhythm stays steady, children don’t have to spend mental energy figuring out the day. They can use it to stay engaged in learning, even in the midst of holiday excitement.
And here’s the part teachers often forget: Children don’t need elaborate seasonal activities to stay engaged. They need structure that works… repeated, and of course, a little MAGIC. Let's share some ideas!
A Little Magic Goes a Long Way!
December makes many teachers feel pressure to “make it special,” but big, elaborate changes often create more behavior challenges.
The magic children need this month is subtle. Gentle. Familiar.
Think:
A flashlight added to your story retelling (same routine, new tool).
A surprise book reveal wrapped in a scarf during your usual read-aloud.
A holiday-themed vocabulary picture added to your chart routine.
A snowball syllable toss using paper or tissues, inside your normal phonological play.
A cozy lamp in the reading corner that signals “calm and read.”
Small holiday touches weaved into your familiar classroom centers.
These activities should enhance routine, never replace it.
These tiny touches feel exciting to children without overwhelming their nervous system. They get joy without chaos, which is exactly what their December brain needs.
To support you this month, I’m sharing a simple gift: 12 Days of Magic! These are tiny, low-prep ideas you can sprinkle into your December without disrupting the routines your children rely on. A little magic. A lot of routine. A calmer, happier classroom because of it.
3 Routines Worth Protecting in December
These three routines do the heavy lifting during the busiest month of the year. Make an effort to protect this time!
1. Your Opening Routine
Morning meetings, greetings, songs, literacy warm-ups, whatever your classroom rhythm is, protect it. This is the moment children decide, “Oh, this feels familiar. I know what happens next," and a perfect time to use that daily picture schedule to explain and prepare children for a schedule change. Even if it’s shorter, keep the sequence the same.
2. Your Center Time
Center time is vital. It’s the part of the day where children process, practice, imagine, and connect. In December especially, this block becomes essential. It’s where children settle into familiar choices, predictable spaces, and the comfort of play.
However, even though center time feels open and flexible, children still rely on clear expectations to feel successful. This month, their energy is higher, their impulses are quicker, and their regulation dips a little faster. They need us to stay steady.
A few December reminders for centers:
Keep the structure the same. Same choices, same flow, same clean-up routine.
Demonstrate first. Before opening a center, show them how to enter, play, and use new materials — even briefly.
Be present. Not hovering but supporting. A simple, “I’m right here,” goes a long way.
Expect to reteach (and reteach again).
Center time should feel safe, predictable, and playful, with a little extra support in December.
3. Story Time (with Re-Reading!)
Story time is pure magic in December, and with so many wonderful books to choose from, it’s tempting to switch it up every day. But here’s the secret: protect this sacred time and keep it simple by re-reading the same story for several days in a row.
Re-reading reduces cognitive load and increases:
participation
confidence
vocabulary
comprehension
connection
And if you want to take it up a notch, try:
acting the story out
changing the ending together
adding puppets or props
using a felt board version in centers
Familiar stories make children feel grounded. Predictable language + repeated patterns = a calm, regulated brain ready to learn. Children love hearing the same story again, especially when the rest of December feels busy and unpredictable.
Final Thoughts...
You don’t have to reinvent your classroom for December.
You don’t need themed centers in every corner. You don’t need tons of extra activities. You don't need a new craft every day.
Children don’t need more, they need steady.
And when you add just a little intentional magic on top of that steadiness… they absolutely thrive. You are doing more than you know. Your consistency is the gift!
Don't miss an update from Moving Little Minds! SUBSCRIBE HERE!
We believe that every child deserves a bright future, and this begins with a strong foundation in early literacy skills. At Moving Little Minds, we are dedicated to providing research-based literacy activities in fun and engaging ways! By merging instruction with play, we ensure that children are reaching their full potential and embark on their educational journey well-prepared for the
future! Let's build those KEY emergent literacy skills together.
%20(52).jpg)
Comments