School Uniform Solutions
So, it’s August and in Scotland, many schools are set to return in mid-month.
You have just managed to get into a rhythm of day-to-day life, and we need to change again.
So here we go!
Before the kids are even thinking about it we are already getting heightened and beginning to worry about the next steps.
Never mind the expense of new uniform, shoes, bags, lunch boxes, and water bottles. It’s the challenge of getting these just right that causes so much stress.
Well, I might as well tell you now that if you set out to be perfect, you are definitely going to get it wrong.
So, let’s start with lowering your expectations right now. If you keep trying to be perfect you will fail, and you are going to raise your anxiety levels which will not help your child.
They will also feel your anxiety and decide there is something to be anxious about because you are modelling this beautifully to them.
So firstly…
RELAX a bit.
You are good enough.
Perfect is not realistic.
Maybe I’m taking it a bit far to ask you to relax to the level of the beach and sand, but, if you don’t regulate yourself it will be worse.
If this is something that resonates with you and you know you need a little support with finding strategies you could watch my last webinar on modulation.
Next Friday, the 23rd August I am releasing a code so that you can access my modulation webinar for FREE. We will be giving you some ideas on how you might be able to manage your regulation by using sensory strategies.
To access this just subscribe to my newsletter and get ready for the code next Friday!
So, let’s take this step by step.
You need to get a uniform.
Dun Dun Dunnnn!!!
If this is your child’s first year in school this may be the first time you are going to encounter the challenges.
If you are more seasoned and have done this a few time you can probably predict the challenges.
Let’s deal with the uniform thing.
It is going to feel different to normal clothes. If you have a child who struggles with sensitivities this may turn out to be your first challenge.
This is going to be an issue for winter as well as summer so let’s get prepared.
If you are wondering if your child has clothing sensitivities I will be writing a check list soon for you to check off!
So, let’s prepare now.
If you are going to try out new clothing, then firstly make sure the child is well regulated. Make it fun and make it a game.
If you already know they have lots of sensitivities, then you will need to experiment with clothing textures as well as coping with labels and seams.
They are not making this up.
It is a real thing.
I still struggle with rough labels and cut them out and i’m an adult.
So, let’s make new clothes fun.
We could:
Create set up stations of new clothes, tops, bottoms, socks, and ties. Then do relay races to collect a piece of uniform and put it on. If there is a sibling maybe they can join in but if not, then you should get equivalents and you put them on too.
Have pretend school days, create a mini classroom at home and role-play what you will be wearing. You could add in a packed lunch and eat from the lunch box too.
Create sequencing cards with the uniform components on it. You could also make doubles so you can play a memory game. Each time a card is turned over and it’s in the right order they can put it on.
Shoes
Oh, my goodness. The shoe shop buying. If you want to know a little more about what sensory overload feels like in a shop, look here!
Shoes can be so tricky. If you have sensory differences, they can be too tight, too loose, and the seams can bother you. If you have spent all summer in crocs or other loose-fitting shoes these can feel awful and restrictive.
So maybe try to get your child into more structured shows so it is not so bad, and they have time to get used to this.
Set challenges of things to do in the new shoes.
Create a magical adventure that incorporates the new shoes, create stories about how they make you run fast or jump higher. Make sure they know that this is an imagination game.
Set up simple obstacle courses with lots of tasks, like jumping onto a cushion, or hopping on one foot, or walking a specified distance.
Create a dress-up time fashion show, creating lots of fabulous new outfits from uniforms with a special cape, or fabulous new shoes.
Create a catwalk in the hall to show off lots of new shoe styles. You could even film it to ket them watch it back later.
Create a treasure hunt around the house where the prize is to find matching shoes.
I’m sure we have all done it at some point. Kept the new shoes for the special occasion. Don’t do it, this usually doens’t end well, and you end up feeling grumpy because you are so uncomfortable.
Your child is no different get them wearing them before starting school.
Our friendly local Podiatrist Emma (foot person) gave us a great tip recently.
“When I take my son shoe shopping, I always make sure he’s wearing stripy or patterned socks as this will help the shoe fitter see quickly if the shoe is slipping when he’s walking in them (as it might be a super quick walk).
I also reinforce with him that the fit is the most important thing so we get our feet measured and then the shoe fitter will only bring out the shoes that might fit his feet as feet come in all shapes and sizes and so do shoes. This minimises the need to try on lots of pairs. He then gets to choose from the ones that fit, not from the whole display.
We talk about that the shoes might be firmer at first too, but he has to tell us if something isn’t comfy. We can then talk about what it is that is wrong to figure out if something that can be adapted to will improve after being worn.
If it comes down to seems or textures inside the shoe that are an issue, try ENGO blister patches. These are blue stickers that go into the inside of the shoe which help prevent blisters. We use them in splints too. They are great for covering rough areas that irritate and generally last about 300 miles or more. they come in many shapes and can be cut too. A 4 pack of large ovals is generally about £15 on Amazon.”
Emma McConnachie spokesperson for the Royal College of Podiatry and owner of Stirling Podiatry.
I have attached an affiliate link to these patches on Amazon down below!
(This link does not increase the cost for you but Activate OT will receive a small percentage of the cost. You do not have to use this link)
Emma also wrote this great article on the Royal College of Podiatry website too.
Going to the shops to get these items can be really tricky for some people. So here are some ideas on how to manage the trips to the shops.
When someone has sensitivity, AND they are going to do a task that they perceive is challenging. It is usually best to try and sandwich the task.
So today we are thinking about going to the shop to get school stuff.
First Step.
Think of all the big body movements that they love doing. Get them moving, this really helps with regulation. It might be going on a trampoline, cycling, playing tennis, playing football, running around, playing chases or making silly animal walks etc… Anything where they really need to move their body.
Do this for about 20 mins or more to get regulated.
It helps to get all of those happy hormones and chemicals running through the body. Think about what they love to do, and it also adds lots of pressure around the body.
Be really playful with this, bring out your inner child.
On the way to the shop in the car or bus, you could have a game of making silly faces. The more they can pull their face in different directions it will create lots of pressure around the face which again will help them in a similar method to the big body movements.
Get them to push down on the chair and how long can they hold their body up?
Can they push their feet into the ground? How long can they do this for?
You might need to apply lots of high energy to your voice to get them involved and will take lots of your energy but it’s worth the effort.
The Task - Step 2.
When in the shop get them to jump in the shoes, can they stamp the ground, can they do big monster steps. The stamping is good for regulation (think of a toddler who stamps their feet, they are trying to regulate.)
Do small games when you are waiting for shoes to be brought out to you, games such as, who can get their hands to the top of the pile.
Step 3.
Once you are done go and do something really nice.
Preferably something where you can both take a bit of relaxation.
This is how we sandwich a task.
Let us know how you got on and what worked or did not. By sharing this we can support each other.
So that’s the uniform challenge.
In my next blog I will write about the routine changes and how to cope with the inevitable tiredness that returning to school brings.
If you have any other tricks you have learned then let us know.
Drop us a line at hello@activateot.org