Helping Students During the Holiday Season

As we head into December with the prospect of winter break at hand, it can be easy to forget that this time of year presents challenges for so many people. During the holiday season, teachers have an essential opportunity to foster belonging for every student. Whether the goal is to ensure that students in financial straits do not feel burdened or to affirm all religious and cultural backgrounds, creating an environment built on empathy and school community helps transform what can be an isolating time into an occasion for learning and growth.​

Empathy at the Center

Building empathy within the classroom begins with authentic conversations that also provide safe spaces for students to share (within their comfort levels) any traditions or seasonal events that are important to their families. These interactions can be framed through journaling, group discussions, or sharing cultural artifacts and stories, ensuring that participation remains voluntary and free of assumptions. For example, a teacher might begin class by asking, “What is a winter tradition that you enjoy, and why?” This question engenders responses that focus on food, routines, or stories, rather than specific holidays.​

Short readings are another effective tool for building empathy. Teachers can curate a selection of stories representing a diverse range of winter holidays, such as Diwali, Chanukah, and the Lunar New Year, and invite students to read the texts and discuss them. Learning about different experiences through narrative helps students engage in discourse with one another and offers windows into peers’ experiences.​

Inclusive Celebrations

Holiday festivities should celebrate the entire community and avoid putting pressure on individuals or families to spend money or participate in specific traditions. Instead of traditional gift exchanges, schools might foster feelings of goodwill with non-material celebrations, such as handwritten thank you notes. A gratitude wall, for example, invites students to write what they appreciate about classmates or teachers, creating community through affirmation.​

Class celebrations can become learning experiences by highlighting how holidays are observed in a variety of cultures. Teachers could set up stations where students learn phrases like “Happy Holidays” in various languages or play traditional games (such as dreidel), reinforcing that every tradition is valued. Sharing recipes or stories from different backgrounds allows students to compare and connect experiences across cultures.​ Winter-themed curriculum content, such as science experiments on ice melting, snowflake crafts, can also provide a festive feeling without singling out students who do not celebrate any specific holiday.​

Responding to Socioeconomic Factors

Financially stressful times hit hard for students already facing economic barriers. Teachers can minimize this impact by designing activities that use school-provided or low-cost materials. If there is a classroom party, for example, all supplies should be available without the expectation that families make a contribution.​

Another way to be sensitive to financial straits is for school leaders or social workers to connect families discreetly to share resources such as community food drives, coat and toy distribution events, or after-school programs, always guarding each family’s dignity and privacy. Teachers should also avoid assignments that assume access to certain resources at home, like internet connectivity or craft materials.​ 

Valuing All Voices

Including all voices within school walls elevates a range of experiences and prevents anyone from feeling left out. One strategy is to co-create a cultural calendar with students, marking the most significant holidays in their homes. Even a simple classroom map with pins showing where family traditions originate can boost increased consciousness of the many traditions that exist.​ In addition, peer support can also be a powerful avenue for helping students feel like a part of the community, particularly since small group activities centered on listening and kindness foster trust.

To make sure that adults remain attuned to student needs as well, providing a little flexibility in deadlines and classroom routines in the week leading up to winter break also signals compassion for anyone who is dealing with stress at home. Particularly for students we worry about, coordinating with school counselors is essential for students requiring more targeted support this time of year.

Family and Community Involvement

Strong partnerships among the school, families, and the local community are vital for inclusive holiday practices. Community liaisons between school and home can reach out in advance to learn about families’ needs and invite them to share information (if comfortable) about their customs. Hosting a storytelling event with food, folktales, and crafts from diverse backgrounds, for example, can be deeply meaningful. Furthermore, local leaders or parents can also work with school staff to enrich the season by demonstrating crafts, recipes, games, or music from their cultures. The key is to open up avenues for dialogue in learning from families and colleagues.​

Awareness of student needs during the holiday season does not require eliminating traditions but rather broadening them by placing the wellbeing of each individual at the heart of school and classroom practice. By listening deeply, valuing every tradition, and remaining sensitive to the economic realities of students' lives, we can prioritize making the classroom a place of true belonging for all.

Written by Miriam Plotinsky, Education World Contributing Writer

Miriam Plotinsky is an instructional specialist with Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where she has taught and led for more than 20 years. She is the author of several education books (both out and forthcoming) with W.W. Norton, ASCD and Solution Tree. She is also a National Board-Certified Teacher with additional certification in administration and supervision. She can be reached at miriamplotinsky.com.

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