Challenges During Unstructured Times

Challenges During Unstructured Times

Students may experience challenges regulating their behaviour during unstructured time such as lunch or recess breaks, on the playground, within the cafeteria, in the bathroom, in assemblies, or during free time within the classroom. Expectations are generally unclear during these times.

What You May See

• Loud or silly behaviour

• Shouting

• Invading other people’s space, touching other people’s things, taking others’ personal belongings

• Crawling under desks

• Difficulty interacting with peers

• Choosing to be alone

• Covering ears

• Difficulty processing sensory stimulation

• Increased negative reactions to sensory stimulus (smells, noise, textures)

• Becoming upset when in a crowd

• Crying

• Leaving the space without permission

Possible Classroom Adaptations

• Review expected/ appropriate behaviours prior to unstructured times

• Provide some structure during recess or lunch by assigning the student a small job to complete (for example, how many types of animals or insects can you count on the playground; collect five interesting leaves, etc.)

• Model appropriate behaviour

• Establish a safe space or person to access when the student is feeling overwhelmed

• Implement a reward chart for appropriate behaviour

• Offer preferential seating

• Assign peer buddy

• Use a First-Then schedule

• Allow student to participate in an alternate setting or complete an alternate task

• Provide headphones or ear buds may allow the student to filter excess noise

• Incorporate relaxation techniques (for example, model deep breathing)

• Indicate that the activity will be changing (into an unstructured time)

• Use a voice volume scale to assist students in recognizing that their volume is getting too loud

Strategies and Supports

• Assign a Buddy/Partner/Mentor

• Breaks

• Physical Organization of the Classroom

• Positive and Specific Praise

• Relaxation Techniques

• Sensory Regulation Tools

• Visual Supports

• Visual Timers