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As school starts back up for your little students, it can be difficult to make the transition from summer fun to the routine of school. The after-school time period can be so challenging and the demands of homework and the fatigue from being in a classroom again can result in tantrums and big feelings.
Here are my top five tips for regulation after school.
1. Take a movement break
Oftentimes, kids are expected to sit in their classroom for longer stretches of time, and expecting them to come right home and sit to complete homework can be too much. Try incorporating a movement break either before pick up (on the playground at school before leaving if possible) or when you get home. This can help with regulation, and improve focus with homework later on.
2. Get a snack
We all have tried to power through a task when we are hungry. How do you typically feel when you’re hungry? If you’re anything like me, you probably are not your best. Our kids are the same! Making sure they have a snack and a drink before asking them to complete any tasks is a great strategy for promoting regulation.
3. Set time for homework
Setting a clear schedule and time for homework is key. None of us like being told out of the blue that we have to complete a task we don’t like. I would hate to come home from work and have someone tell me that I need to work on my taxes or setting up a new printer (both activities aren’t my favorite ). It’s the same for your kids! Set a time for homework and stick to it.
4. Flexible seating
I often tell families at the office, “What is your priority? That your child sits at the table or that they are completing the work?”. There is no unwritten rule that says homework must be completed at a desk and if your little one prefers to stand, lay down, or sit on the floor, as long as they are focused and doing the homework, I say let them!
5. Visual schedule and timers
Predictability on a small scale can be so helpful during times of big life transitions. For example, going back to school is a big change, but it can be helpful to have a plan for after school so that not everything in the day is a surprise. Now even if you have the same plan everyday, you can’t assume that your child “knows the routine”. I highly recommend having a visual schedule of some kind to keep your afternoons on track and keep everyone on the same page. Timers can also be so helpful for transitions. For more information on transitions, check out our transitions blog.
While going back to school is a huge change for everyone in the family, there are definitely ways to support self-regulation after school. If you have questions or more concerns about your child’s development, reach out to our office for a complimentary consultation!
KAELYN GREEN
Kaelyn Green is a licensed occupational therapist at Valued Voices. She is certified by the University of Southern California in Sensory Integration and is an advocate for addressing underlying sensory functioning in order to improve occupational performance. She is passionate about meeting children and families where they are at and seeks to tailor interventions to the unique needs of her clients. When she is not working, you will find Kaelyn taking care of her two goldendoodles, working in her garden, or taking trips to the Central Coast.
