Have you ever had one of those mornings?  You know – one of those mornings where everything seems to be going wrong.  You are running late, your favorite pair of work pants is dirty, you forget to eat a good breakfast and when you arrive to work, you don’t even have time to take a breath before you have to get right to an important meeting?  It’s probably pretty difficult to focus and participate fully in that important meeting after feeling uncomfortable and dysregulated all morning.  

The same thing is true for our students!   Our students sometimes have those difficult mornings as well.  We may not be able to control what happens at home before our students arrive at school, but once they do arrive, we can take some time to start their day in a regulated way before jumping into academic work. This is where implementing a soft start for your classroom may be very helpful!  Today, let’s talk about what a soft start is and how you may want to implement it in your classroom.

What is a Soft Start?

I think of a soft start to the day as a way to ease students into school.  Before rushing into the difficult academic work, a soft start gives our students a chance to settle in.  This is a great chance for a student to reset after a busy, stressful morning routine or bus ride.   I know there are so many things that need to be accomplished in the school day, so it may not seem like you have time for a soft start and you need to get right to work.  However, if you jump straight into work with students who are dysregulated, they may not be able to grasp the material anyway.  A soft start, in my opinion, is a win for everyone!

Soft Start Considerations

You might be interested in the idea of a soft start to the day but are not exactly sure how to structure that time.  Here are some things to consider.

• A soft start doesn’t have to be long, maybe 10-15 minutes.
• Activities may include sensory opportunities, such as organized gross motor movement, heavy work activities, tactile activities.
• Consider the environment.  Reducing sensory input during this time can be helpful for all.  Consider dimming the lights, or playing soft, calming music.
• Activities may also include opportunities to connect with adults and peers, such as discussing and exploring students’ preferred interests.

By taking a few minutes at the beginning of the day to regulate and connect, you are setting your students up for success.  Have you implemented this before?  What are some of your favorite tips?