Finding Your Fall Rhythm: Helping Kids Settle Into New Routines
Written by Chelsea, Family Care Coordinator & Beelieve Mama
It’s September and school has started, routines are falling back into place, and (hopefully) the weather will start cooling down; bringing with it the hint of the holidays to come.
As a mom, I know it can be so hard to pick back up and settle into routines when a new school year starts. Even harder if the routines and tricks you had last year do not seem to be working their magic this year. Add to the mix a kiddo or kiddos who need extra support for all their special uniqueness ;) and well, it can become overwhelming very quickly.
You are not alone! Many of us feel this way and struggle to find ways to support our kids through the challenge of adjusting to new and different routines. I have found a few tools that I will share that have been helpful in our household.
Visual Schedules:
This can be an incredible tool once you find the schedule that works best for your child. I found this link to be very helpful in creating schedules for my children. https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/how-to-make-a-visual-schedule/
Visual or Light Up Timers:
If your child (or you!) need help with time management, these are great! They can help with transitions, focus and productivity. There are several different types available. Here is one I like on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3242GXQ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_37S4K6506AY9F8Z5C77F
Musical Cues:
This idea replaces words/commands with musical cues or songs to let your child know that it is time for a transition or a task. I like this tool because I feel like it has reduced the repetitive asking and the raising of my voice. Here is a link that describes how to use musical cues. This link discusses classroom uses, but I think you can see how you can modify the concept for home as well. https://asoundmind.edublogs.org/2017/05/03/make-routines-sing/
Task/reward Boards:
These are boards that you can design with your child to work towards a specific
goal/reward while working on completing certain tasks. The tasks can be school related, chore related, therapy related, or all of the above. Your child then can mark off completed tasks (who doesn’t love that?!) and when they have finished the set amount of tasks they receive their reward. Here is a free printable version that I like: https://favoriteprintables.com/rainbow-reward-chart-for-kids/
Speaking of rewards, I also know that finding fun activities for children with special uniquenesses is not always easy. Here is a list of some sensory-friendly, kid-friendly activities in our area that maybe you and your child will want to work towards for your reward this month!
Ft. Worth Museum of Science and History - Sat Sept 5th, 5:30-7:30pm Sensory Saturday
Access Life Expo - Sat Sept 12th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Casa Manana - Special performances of Rapunzel! Rapunzel!
Fri Oct 2nd, 7:00pm ASL interpretation
Sun Oct 11th, 11:00am Sensory friendly performance
Studio Movie Grill - Ft Worth and Arlington locations
Sat Oct 3rd, 11:00am Sensory screening of Forgotten Island
Amon Carter Museum- Sensory Explorations
Sat Oct 10th, 10:00-11:30am
Dallas Arboretum - Pumpkins After Hours
Tues Oct 20th, 5:30-8:00pm
Chuck E. Cheese - Presidio location
Ist Sunday of every month they open 2 hours early for a sensory- friendly experience.
Nasher Sculpture Center - for rainy day activities they offer some fun online activities
and they are a certified Sensory Inclusive™ location in conjunction with KultureCity.
Finding what works is not always easy, but having multiple tools in your toolbox can certainly help you feel better equipped at finding a solution. I hope that these resources and the fun activities bring some peace and joy to your family!
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