What to Do When Your Students “Lose Skills” Over the Holidays

Hey teacher friend, picture the scene.. it’s January, the laminator’s jammed, and your students suddenly seem to have forgotten everything. Coats that used to be zipped? Now open. Requests that used to be independent? Gone. Routines that finally flowed? Out the window.

Before you panic, take a breath. In this episode, we’re talking about why this happens, why it’s completely normal, and what you can do to help your students bounce back - calmly and confidently.

What You’ll Learn

Why “skill loss” is really just skill dormancy (not failure!)

How to run a simple “Reset Week” to rebuild structure and confidence

Which skills truly need reteaching, and which just need reminders

How to help students re-regulate before diving back into academics

Gentle ways to reassure parents and set realistic expectations

Quick Tips

Revisit visuals, routines, and familiar activities first

Focus on regulation before expectation

Start each day with success, even small wins

Use short, visual instructions and predictable transitions

Communicate calmly with families: “It’s not lost, it’s just resting.”

Regression isn’t failure, it’s feedback. Your students aren’t starting over; they’re remembering how to feel safe and capable again. Give it a week or two, and you’ll see their skills, and confidence, shine right back through.