Helping Your Complex Learner Stay Regulated
Kristen Machado and Jenn O’Reilly
The days are longer, the sun is shining, and Spring Break is just right around the corner! Spring break is often seen as a time to break from routines to relax, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved break from the demands of school. While everyone deserves a break, for Complex Learners Spring Break can be challenging.
As special educators, we know that our students thrive on routine. That’s why our Classroom Teams work together to build a solid classroom routine for our students to help them feel secure and successful. So why is it important to maintain routine over Spring Break and how can you enjoy Spring Break while still giving your Complex Learner the sense of structure they need? Read on to learn more about why routine matters and what you can do to maintain a routine while still having fun!
Why Routine Matters
1. Offer Predictability
For Complex Learners, routine offers a sense of stability and predictability. When everyday activities and schedules are consistent, your child can know what to expect and what is expected of them. This can help reduce feelings of anxiety that often accompany the unknown. By keeping some familiar routines going throughout Spring Break (wake-up times, meal schedules, bedtime routines), you provide your child with that needed sense of security and help them be able to fully enjoy their break! For Complex Learners, maintaining a regular sleep schedule is important for cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall health. A routine that includes consistent wake-up and bedtimes can prevent sleep disturbances and promote better sleep quality, leading to improved focus and mood!
2. Fosters Emotional Regulation
As a parent of a Complex Learner, you already know that many Complex Learners struggle with managing their emotions. Maintaining a routine can help children who struggle with anxiety, frustration, and other strong emotions because routine plays a key role in emotional regulation. Routine offers a sense of control to children because it helps them know what comes next, what’s expected of them, and helps them feel prepared. When breaks from routine happen unexpectedly, it can cause confusion and distress, making it harder for Complex Learners to manage their emotions.
3. Helps Transition Back to School
One of the most challenging aspects of Spring Break for Complex Learners is the transition back to school (it can also be hard for parents too!). Without some semblance of routine during the break, the return to the structure of school can be even more difficult. By maintaining a routine, even if it’s a more relaxed version of the school schedule, students are better prepared to transition smoothly back into the school environment. When you have a structure during break, a gradual shift back to regular learning is easier to manage which is best for both your child and you!
How To Keep A Routine During Spring Break
Now that you understand how critical routine is for Complex Learners, even during time off from school, how can you incorporate it into your Spring Break while still managing to have fun! Here are some of our favorite tips as educators that you can try at home!
- Create a visual schedule that maps out the daily activities during spring break.
- Try to incorporate familiar elements from the school day, such as movement breaks, sensory activities (play-doh, slime, fidgets, swinging, etc), or quiet time.
- Keep sleep routines as consistent as possible to avoid disrupting the sleep-wake cycle.
- Involve your child in planning the routine for the day! Ask them what activities they would like to do – create a Spring Break bucket list!
- Balance rest with structure. It’s important to incorporate some downtime, but make sure there is enough structure to keep the day moving forward.
- Ask for help! Your Wolf Team is here to support you!
While spring break is a time to take a break from the normal school routine, it is important to ensure that the environment remains structured enough to support the unique needs of your child. Routine provides stability, consistency, and security—all of which are key to helping children thrive! By striking a balance between relaxation and structure, we can help ensure that spring break is a time for relaxation and a positive experience for everyone!
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