Easily Navigate Kindergarten Classroom Management After School Breaks

Welcome back, kindergarten teachers! As we gear up for another exciting year (oh, Happy New Year, by the way.). It’s important to think about the unique challenges of managing a kindergarten classroom after school breaks. Transitioning from the relaxed atmosphere of holidays to the structured classroom routine can be overwhelming for our little learners. However, with effective kindergarten classroom management strategies. Plus, with a touch of creativity when returning from breaks. We can create an environment that fosters a positive and productive learning experience for both students and teachers.

Kindergarten Classroom Management Strategies

Before even worrying about transitioning back from breaks, you want to ensure that you have set good classroom expectations. Have a routine set up and ensure your students know exactly what is expected of them from the beginning of the year. I promise this will make the transition back from breaks easier. 

Establish Clear Routines

Set clear and consistent routines to help kindergarten students feel secure and understand expectations. Create visual schedules and incorporate fun elements into daily activities to keep students engaged.

Positive Reinforcement

Reinforce positive behavior through praise, rewards, and acknowledgment. Use a system that allows students to earn stickers or small incentives, fostering a positive and motivating atmosphere in the classroom.

Interactive Learning Stations

 Introduce interactive learning stations that cater to different learning styles. These stations can include hands-on activities, educational games, and collaborative projects, providing a dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Communication and Collaboration

Foster open communication with both students and parents. Keep parents informed about classroom activities and expectations, and encourage their involvement in their child’s education. Collaborate with colleagues to share successful strategies and resources.

Managing the Transition

Returning from school breaks requires a thoughtful approach to help ease the kindergarten class back into the groove of learning. Begin by acknowledging the students’ experiences during the break and allowing them to share their stories. Although not all students will have lavish break stories, you want to allow students to share. I like to discuss just relaxing at home and not doing anything but watching TV. It normalizes the students who may not have gone on a large vacation or families who did not celebrate the holidays in a large way. 

After you have discussed students’ breaks, try to incorporate engaging activities that gradually reintroduce routines, making the transition smoother. Reinforce classroom expectations through positive reinforcement and gentle reminders, ensuring security for our young learners. As a matter of fact, I love reading with students when we get back from break. I have a library full of books that I use to reinforce rules and remind students of the expectations inside the classroom. One of my new favorites is Back From Break. This book completely focuses on getting students back into the swing of routines, expectations, and rules when it comes to coming back to school from a long school break. 

Back from Break: Learn and Play by Diana Schuda

The book Back from Break: Learn and Play by Diana Schuda (or me) offers practical tips and activities designed to ease children back into the learning mindset after breaks. Furthermore, use Back from Break as a helpful tool in the first few days to make returning to school after a break easier. The book talks about different feelings students might have and makes it easy to talk about in class.

With colorful pictures and rhyming words, the book shows students what to expect when they come back to school. It also helps kids feel less nervous about being back by including social and emotional skills in the story. Perfect when you are looking to up your game when it comes to kindergarten classroom management strategies for after the break.

Back from Break: Learn and Play Review Slides

A read-aloud is a great resource, but you will want to ensure students have internalized the message and the ideas.  These review slides will help remind your Pre-K, Kindergarten & 1st grade students what each procedure and routine looks and sounds like. Young learners need a lot of review upon returning from a break to continue to use the routines and procedures you set up at the beginning of the school year with ease.

Coming back from breaks is a chance to shake things up, high-five for achievements, and set the vibe for a kick-butt year of learning and fun. Mix in some structure, sprinkle in creativity, and grab “Back from Break: Learn and Play” – you’ll be rocking the kindergarten scene and leaving a cool mark on your student’s learning journey. Cheers to a year filled with cool discoveries, laughter, and awesome connections in our kindergarten crew!