Picture this! You’re up and moving because you have a million and one things to do but your child starts one thing, gets distracted, forgets what they were doing and moves on to the next thing while you’re trying to get them to stay focused. It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent or a teacher, I know you understand this if you have a child with ADHD.
Mornings can feel as though you’re running a marathon. Not just any marathon but one where you have to go uphill and downhill in pouring rain or a hailstorm. Sounds exhausting.
But your mornings don’t have to be this chaotic. You can have a calmer and more predictable start to your day with specific structures and routines in place so that your children are ready to start off their day on a strong and calm note.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Minimize Verbal Instructions
When you use too many verbal cues, many children with ADHD will feel overwhelmed and tune you out.
Instead of constantly repeating yourself, use a visual chart in the main areas of your home or on your white board at school. Take that and create a smaller schedule on your child’s desk or on the dining room table so that your child can see it. Then point to it when your child is off task so that they know exactly what they need to complete. Click the following image to download your Visual Schedule and First-Then Chart.
When you talk to your child, give them clear and simple language. For example, “jacket” and point to it, instead of saying, “put on your children so that we can go out.”
Whenever possible, offer choices so that you can motivate your child. You can say, “do you want to start with math or writing.” If you’re at home, you can ask, “do you want to wash your face first or comb your hair?”
#2. Integrate Movement Breaks
Children with ADHD often need the time and space to move before they can focus.
In the morning, have your children stretch their bodies. They can do this beside their bed at home or by their desk at school.
If they are eating breakfast or working on an assignment, allow them to either stand or sit on a wobble stool if it helps them feel regulated.
Join the waitlist for my course. ADHD and Autism Self Regulation Space, to help your children learn how to integrate movement breaks into your day and how to self-regulate.
#3. Celebrate Small Wins
This may seem ridiculous to many people because having a morning routine may come natural to you. However, for many children with ADHD, this isn’t the case at all. In fact, it can be struggle for teachers, parents and children.
To ensure the best chance of success, it’s important to take note of the little things that your child is doing well and praise them for it as it will boot their self-confidence. The goal is to aim for progress and not perfection.
For instance, praise your child for getting dressed without reminders.
To keep them on track, use Visual Schedule and First-Then Chart and Rewards System that was noted in step one.
Remember that your child doesn’t have to complete everything on that list. Just one item completed calmly can be a win worth celebrating when you’re getting started.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The reason why it’s difficult to start the day of calmly with children with ADHD.
- How to create a calm morning routine for kids with ADHD: minimize verbal instructions, integrate movement breaks, and celebrate small wins,
Free Resources:
For a taste of the resources that were mentioned in step two, check out the following resource in my FREE Education Resource Library.
Teach your little ones how to make good choices with the following FREE Resource:
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
You’re welcome to join us inside ADHD and Autism Self Regulation by CLICKING HERE or on the fallowing image.
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
