As the festive season approaches, classrooms begin to sparkle with excitement — Christmas jumpers, concerts and parties and the general end-of-term buzz. It’s a wonderful time of year, but it can also be a challenging one for maintaining learning routines and focus.
That’s where Monster Phonics really shines.
As teachers, we can harness children’s natural enthusiasm and channel it into meaningful learning through fun, festive and phonics-rich experiences. And while excitement builds, one thing becomes more important than ever: consistency.
December brings joy, but it also brings timetable changes, special events and plenty of distractions. For many children, especially younger learners or those who thrive on predictability, these changes can feel unsettling.
Consistency in phonics teaching provides an anchor — a familiar, calming point in the day where children feel secure, focused and confident. A phonics base-camp! 
Monster Phonics supports this beautifully through structure, colour-coding and clear routines that make learning predictable, even when the rest of the day looks different.
Amid the excitement, children still need routine. Monster Phonics provides that familiar structure — daily lessons, predictable routines and clear visual cues. 
This consistency supports learners who can feel overwhelmed by change, helping them remain confident and secure in their learning right through to the end of term. When phonics feels steady and dependable, children are much better able to enjoy the festive fun without losing momentum in their learning.
Here are some supportive, low-effort approaches teachers can use to keep phonics steady and purposeful — even on the busiest December days:
Consistency doesn’t mean sticking to full-length sessions.
A 10–12 minute phonics slot still keeps learning fresh and routines intact.
Short bursts = big impact.
If the timetable is unpredictable, focus on strengthening what children already know.
Rehearsal builds fluency — perfect for weeks with interruptions.
Keep colour-coding, posters and characters visible.
These visuals act as memory prompts, helping children stay connected to learning even during festive activities.
4. Blend phonics into seasonal activities
Festive doesn’t have to mean “off-track.”
You can weave phonics into:
It keeps learning fun and meaningful without extra planning.
December is perfect for:
Even brief reading boosts fluency and confidence.
Even on busy days, set aside a ‘phonics pocket’ — the same time each day, however short.
Children quickly learn that phonics always happens there, and it becomes a grounding part of the routine.
December is not the month for reinventing the wheel.
Monster Phonics resources are designed to reduce workload:
Use them exactly as they are — that is good teaching.
Keeping phonics a priority doesn’t mean getting everything perfect.
It doesn’t mean full-length lessons, complicated activities or extra planning.
It simply means keeping learning steady, predictable and joyful — in whatever way is manageable for you and your class.
With Monster Phonics, even the busiest, sparkliest weeks of the year can stay purposeful and phonics-rich, helping children stay confident and ready for the new term ahead.