A simple tool for a calmer before and after school.

In my last video blog I talked about how visual timetables, or now next boards, can help children transition smoothly between different activities, settings, or people. And this week I want to take that idea one step further and look at how we can use those tools and a few other simple strategies to help with those key transitions of the school day. So that is getting out of the house in the morning, getting into school, and then coming back home at the end of the day without those after school explosions.

These can all be really challenging moments for kids who feel anxious about school, and the good news is that with a little bit of planning we can make these times feel more predictable, which may make your child feel safer. 

So the key here is no surprises. You want every step to be clear and predictable because even something small like, "Oh no, I've forgotten to put my homework", can completely derail the morning.

So sit down with your child and create the morning timetable together. When they're involved in planning it, they'll be more likely to follow it. If your child feels anxious before school, make sure to build regulating activities into the morning routine. So maybe some movement music or quiet time before leaving.  You might consider using a timer to show how long each of these activities last because you don't want stopping these calming activities to become a battle in themselves.

 So a morning routine might look something like: get up, get dressed, have breakfast, play with Lego (that's your first calming activity of the morning), brush your teeth, check your bag, jump on the trampoline (that's your second regulating activity of the morning), leave the house and get into the car.  You can see an example of this routine shown in a visual timetable in the video. 

 Now let's talk about getting into school. If your child struggles with this, it's really helpful to agree on a clear plan with a key member of staff.

You might include steps like, arrive at school where you are met by a familiar adult who gives your child a really warm welcome. Then the child says goodbye to the parent, and they go with their key person to a safe space where they do a lovely calming activity, such as having a hot drink, or playing a game. Then it's helpful if your child has the opportunity to look through their timetable for the day with a key adult and they can problem solve any worries they've got about anything that's going to turn up during the day. They might also want to practice a calming technique they can use if they get worried or to think about what their plan might be for the day, if they get dysregulated at any point. And only at that stage does your young person go to the first lesson.  (The video shows how this can all be represented in a visual timetable). 

 It is all about creating predictability and a sense of control so your child knows exactly what to expect right from the very first moment that they arrive.

 Finally that afterschool transition. For lots of kids, this is the hardest one. They've held it together all day. And home is where it all comes out. So try building this routine with your child too. You could even spread out all your visual cards and ask what would help you to feel calm after school.

So a routine might look something like,:see mom or dad when they come to collect me, drive home, have a snack, spend a little bit of quiet time in your bedroom, then play football or do another favorite activity, and only at that point you talk to Mum or Dad about the day.  (See the video to see this represented on a different type of visual timetable).

 Remember, all of these routines can go onto the visual timetables. The goal isn't perfection. It's just about helping your child know what's coming next so they can feel calmer and safer.

If you'd like to try using a visual timetable, you can download the free template I've used in this video by clicking this link.