Holiday weeks amplify everything—sensory needs, emotions, transitions, and parent anxiety. As leaders, you feel it first. And in these high-stress weeks, clarity and connection in our communication become the difference between a calm end-of-day handoff… and a simmering misunderstanding that lingers. Here’s what effective communication really protects during holiday season (and all year): 1. It stabilizes the child’s nervous system. When home and school share consistent messaging, kids feel predictable care. Predictability → regulation. Regulation → better engagement. 2. It prevents unnecessary conflict with families. Parents aren’t trying to be difficult—they’re overwhelmed. Short, steady updates prevent small concerns from becoming big confrontations. 3. It preserves teacher energy. Clear communication reduces the repeat explanations, hallway clarifications, and emotional labor your staff carries.A regulated teacher = a regulated classroom. 4. It strengthens your leadership presence. When you model grounded, non-reactive, relationship-first communication, your teachers copy it—and your families feel it. This is culture-building work, not “extra work.” Let's talk communication: What communication challenge tends to spike for your team during holiday weeks—and what strategy (big or small) has helped you keep things steady?

This week has been all about how rhythm isn’t just routines—it’s the steady backbone that helps classrooms feel safer, smoother, and more connected, especially when the day gets unpredictable. Your turn: What’s one rhythm or ritual you saw this week that made the day run better for your teachers or kids?

This week is all about rituals and routines— because small, repeatable moments are what help kids settle, shift, and stay engaged. Message to staff: “Pick one daily routine and use the same opening line and same closing line every single time. Short. Predictable. Repeatable.” Borrowable phrasing: Arrival: “Backpack + bottle on the shelf.” → “All set—centers.” Clean-up: “Touch what you’re putting away.” → “Done—handwashing.” Predictable openings and closings give kids a sense of safety—and that’s what makes transitions smoother. If you had to pick just one routine to streamline this week, which one gets your vote?

This week inside PDN, we’re focusing on Rhythm & Rituals — the small, repeatable moments that help December feel smoother for both kids and teachers. When the month gets unpredictable, micro-rhythms do a lot of heavy lifting: • Safety first — Predictable openings and closings help little bodies settle when the day feels wobbly. • Less decision fatigue — Simple, repeated steps reduce mental load for teachers. • Better attention — A quick rhythmic cue organizes the brain faster than extra talking. • Belonging — Shared rituals give every child a way to participate, regardless of language level. Here are a few suggestions to try during a lesson: 🥁 Rhythmical “start” cue: A short patterned clap, drum tap, or call-and-response like “1-2-3… eyes on me” / “1-2… ready for you!” Kids join in, which organizes their bodies and shifts attention. 🥁 Transition mini-ritual: A 5-second movement everyone does together (two shoulder rolls, stretch to the sky, wiggle and freeze). This resets the body without stopping the flow of the lesson. 🥁 Shared closing line: “We did it — next up is ___.” Naming the handoff creates predictability, which helps the brain relax and move to the next task. Our focus this week: Micro-rhythms that support regulation, protect teacher capacity, and keep lessons flowing even when schedules shift. One line to share with staff: “The more predictable the routine, the easier the day feels.” Simple. True. 🩷

If you're feeling the holiday whirlwind, I'm sure your teachers and kids are right there in it with you too. Focusing on executive functioning this week turned out to be pretty perfect timing—everyone’s brains are doing their best to shift, start, stop, and keep going. Remember to “just keep swimming,” and give yourself permission to pause when you need it. Wishing you and your school family a very happy Thanksgiving. 🧡