Finding Joy in the Winter

On Monday I shared tips for surviving the winter in the classroom. We can go a bit further today and think about ways to really bring joy into your daily moments even when it’s cold and gray outside.

The words winter and joy don’t always go together for me. I can definitely find that joy in December when everything is lit up for the holidays and I’m excited about the first snowflakes, but by the time we get into January and February it all feels bleak and dreary. There are a few things that I can always count on to spark that joy and wonder though.

The first things that works for me is light. Where I live we’re known for having excessive days in a row of cloudiness during the winter. When that sunlight does show through I like to be able to take full advantage of it. Hanging crystals in the windows helps the light reflect throughout the classroom and makes it really hard to miss. I also like to incorporate more lamps, twinkle lights, and other light sources to brighten things up a bit.

Warmth is another big thing. I’m always cold, and I know that I’m not the only one! Being able to warm up quickly when I come inside, or find a way for a little extra warmth near a drafty window definitely helps put a smile on my face. One way to offer this for the whole class is to invite everyone to bring slippers to wear in the room. It eliminates any wet puddles from shoes and makes everything feel a little more cozy and relaxed. Having favorite sweaters on hand for another layer is also helpful. Beside being physically warm, I like to think about the atmosphere of the classroom. This can be the perfect time to add a few more textiles, potted plants, or aesthetic pieces to the room.

As we near Valentine’s day I also like to take every opportunity to make sure that everyone feels like they belong in our classroom. This can mean anything from spending one on one time with students to sending home Happy Notes or offering praise for good behavior. Everyone is happier when they feel valued and important!

There are so many little ways to be intentional about creating joy for individual students. Reading a book about a favorite character, planning an activity that you know is a favorite, allowing a child to pick a song to sing, learning more about a topic that excites specific students, making time for a child to choose their favorite center before anyone else can. These are all valid ways to impact the emotional atmosphere of the classroom. That’s pretty major when it comes to increasing joy!