COPING SKILLS
Name one coping skill you can use when holiday excitement feels overwhelming.
Deep breathing, counting to ten, taking space, drawing/coloring
What is one way to show respect to classmates during the excitement of holiday activities?
Listening, taking turns, using kind words.
Name one responsible behavior during a classroom holiday celebration.
Cleaning up, following instructions, sharing supplies.
What is one thing you can do to take care of your mental health during busy holiday times?
Take breaks, sleep, healthy snacks, talk to someone.
You accidentally bump into someone while getting hot cocoa. What should you do?
Say “sorry” and make sure they’re okay.
You and your sibling both want to use the same new toy. What coping skill can help you keep your cool while solving the problem?
Positive self-talk (“I can stay calm”), or walking away to cool down.
A friend celebrates a different winter holiday than you. What’s a respectful way to respond when they share about it?
“That’s cool! Tell me more,” or showing interest.
Your teacher gives you a job during a holiday activity. What makes you responsible?
Doing it on time, asking questions if unsure, being a leader and helping out
Why is it important to have quiet time during the holiday season?
Helps reset your brain, reduces stress.
A classmate gives you a holiday card, but you didn’t make one for them. What should you do?
Say thanks and be kind; you can make one later.
During a holiday event, you start feeling anxious (nervous/overwhelmed). What coping skill could help you stay grounded?
deep breathing, 5 senses grounding, rainbow grounding
Your class is learning about different holiday traditions. How can you show respect even if the traditions are different from yours?
Be open-minded, avoid judging, ask polite questions.
You forgot to bring in materials for your class project. What is a responsible next step?
Tell the teacher, make a plan to get materials, take responsibility and apologize
Sometimes the holidays bring sadness or stress to some people. What’s a healthy way to deal with those feelings?
Sharing feelings with a trusted adult, using coping skills, practicing gratitude.
You see students arguing over who gets to hang decorations. What should you do?
Suggest taking turns, offering to help them solve the conflict, or getting an adult.
After a busy day of celebrations, your body feels tired and stressed. You can feel yourself starting to get grumpy. What coping skill can help you relax and reset?
5 finger breathing, taking quiet time/space to unwind
Someone makes a joke about another student’s holiday. What is the respectful thing to do?
Speak up kindly, support the student, or tell a trusted adult.
During a group holiday project, one member is not helping. What’s a responsible way to handle it?
Communicate calmly and politely, ask them to join in, talk to the teacher if needed.
The holiday season can bring big emotions. What is one way to understand or manage your emotions better?
identify your feelings, talking to someone, journaling.
You are feeling overwhelmed at a loud holiday assembly, but you don’t want to draw attention to yourself. What should you do?
Use a silent coping strategy, ask an adult quietly to take a break or if you can move to a calmer space, gently plug your ears with your fingers
You notice that certain situations—like loud holiday parties—make you stressed every year. How could you plan ahead with coping skills?
Create a plan with an adult for when you get overwhelmed, bring a comfort item, take a break/take space when needed.
Your teacher is explaining directions for a fun holiday activity, but several classmates are talking over them and not paying attention. What is the most respectful thing you can do in this situation?
Stay quiet, listen carefully, model respectful behavior, and kindly remind nearby classmates with silent signals to listen so the teacher can teach.
Holidays can be chaotic and make our regular routines harder to remember. How can you take responsibility for staying organized and prepared for school?
Use a planner, check materials each night, set reminders, manage time.
Mental wellness means balancing your thoughts, feelings, and actions. What long-term habits help keep your mental wellness strong—even during stressful seasons?
Regular exercise, sleep routines, talking about feelings, mindfulness, healthy coping skills.
Your group is working on a holiday project, and everyone has a different idea for how it should look. The group starts arguing and no one is listening. You want the project to turn out well, but you also want everyone to feel heard. What should you do?
Suggest taking turns sharing ideas, help the group combine or vote on the best parts of each idea, stay calm, make compromises