Mereside Academy

Structure and Routine

The reason we can help 30 children in a class is that we have established a routine and have structure to our day. 

This is an easy way to make your day run smoother.

• Get up, washed and dressed for day as if you are going to school
• Set up an area in your home which is for learning. Try and keep fun areas like where the TV is or where the Toys are separate
• Set timer - Set a time of 15 - 20 minutes and that is working time. When the timer goes off- have a break. (Top tip - time the break too!)
• Organise the day with what you are doing and when -  Now we are doing English, Next we are doing Maths. This way, you know when you are nearing the end of learning time.

Useful Documents to help Parents and Carers

Zones of Regulation

In school we use the Zones of Regulation to help children express how they are feeling. It uses colours to describe a feeling.

e.g.

If I am feeling yellow, I may be feeling a little unsettled and fidgety

On this page, we hope to give you ideas on what you can do to help your child when they are expressing that they are feeling unsettled.

The Stress Relief Giraffe

This image gives you lots of ideas of how you can help your child. In school we find that

• a drink
• a snack
• a change in temperature -  open a window, take off a jumper, go outside
• a chat and recognition by the adult of how they are feeling

Really helps refocus them

10 things to say instead of stop crying

Children cry! When they don't have the words to express how they are feeling, they cry. Try to acknowledge their tears and be the support that they are seeking. Always check back in with the lists above- sometimes a break is all they need.