How would you deal with this situation - Any teachers?

[user4564376534875487]

Reception age child doesn't focus during carpet time, has been moved around to different places but still distracted/bored/unfocused. How would you deal with this situation please?

[FlibbertyGiblets]

Are you the teacher? Parent?

[Karwomannghia]

Can he or she have a little collection of toys they can play with quietly while the others are on the carpet?

[Dermymc]

OP you just posted this and got it deleted.

[user4564376534875487]

Thanks Karwonmannghia, I have received a pm which suggests something similar. I do not wish to give specifics as a previous post was a bit too identifying. Happy to hear from you if you are a teacher that has dealt with this situation or a parent whose dc has struggled likewise.

[LyndaLaHughes]

I'd start with something to fiddle with- even something as simple as some blue tack works wonders!

[user4564376534875487]

Thanks Lynda, I think I will suggest this.

[GreenTulips]

Depends on the child
Immaturity
Tiredness
Possible dyslexia or otherwise reprocessing disorder

[user4564376534875487]

Thanks GreenTulips, how do you think this situation should be approached if any one of these things were an issue? How could the child not be singled out i.e how could it not be made blindingly obvious. There may be a need for an assessment further on down the line but if it is just a developmental delay, how would this be best dealt with in the interim?

[Yumyumbananas]

The teacher needs to put strategies in place that limit the disruption to the learning of the other children as well as your child.

[user4564376534875487]

Yes agree Yum, what might these strategies be?

[Yumyumbananas]

Whatever reasonable measures are required to keep good order in the class. Carpet time in a reception class is generally quite short anyway so the learning time has to be maximised. I would use the TA to sit close to the child on the carpet for support. If that didn’t work I would seat the child away from the carpet with the TA (perhaps at a table beside the carpet). Fiddle toys can be tried but in my experience these end up as part of the problem for most (but not all) fidgety children).

[CarolDanvers]

As a parent I would hope you'd be observing and considering additional needs. Sounds like my ds who turned out to have autism, dyspraxia, hyper mobility and sensory processing disorder.

[missmapp]

Agree with box of things .
Also use 'now' and then "strategy.
Simple card split in half with pictures showing what the child has to do now ( sit on carpet) and what will happen then (small reward). You can then build up to other targets

[FlibbertyGiblets]

Still can't work out if you are teacher or parent.

Eye test and hearing test to rule out.
Would a fiddle toy help. Ditto a wobble cushion.

[Threeminis]

Sorry to ask but I'm on Scotland - what is reception age? 4?

Could it be that the child just isn't ready for circle/carpet time?
I have almost 17 years experience in early years and some 4yo just aren't there yet, or maybe they're being expected to 'sit' for too long?

[user4564376534875487]

Thank you for all of your suggestions/comments. I haven't heard of a wobble cushion before?

[user4564376534875487]

Carol, additional needs are being considered. Difficult due to age (5), I think.

[AllTeaAllShade]

wiggle cushion

[tastylancs]

My son couldn't sit still in reception, he was young to start school and just not ready to stay put. Also got very tired in the afternoons. He and a couple of others were given spot mats to sit on in assembly. The spot helped him understand that is where he should try and stay.

[pickingdaisies]

Try to make carpet time shorter. Recommended time for reception age is always less than we'd think.
Find reasons to send child off to do related task, with TA, and maybe another child. Maybe make them a something or other monitor. Or stop everyone for a two minute brain gym, or a song, anything to allow child(ren) to stop and reboot, and can then maybe concentrate for another few minutes.

[GreenTulips]

Wobble cushions are good
Jel fiddle packs - looks like an ice pack
First then next is good
If truey a fidget look up the heavy jackets or neck bags they weigh the child down on the shoulders - these are actually brilliant at calming children
Give them tasks

[HexagonalBattenburg]

Check they are actually not listening and not like my daughter used to be at that age where she looked unfocused but absolutely all the lesson input actually went in!

Wobble cushion worked wonders for us, as did a weighted lap pad - since had a dyspraxia and sensory processing issues diagnosis.

[ThatsWotSheSaid]

Small chair or bean bag if it doesn’t seem like a punishment or single him out.
Is he doing any harm by fidgeting?

[user4564376534875487]

Thanks That's and everyone. One question, would placing the child on a small chair or bean bag look as if the child is being singled out in a negative way?

[Karwomannghia]

Reading between the lines I’d guess you’re a parent and your child is being told off by the teacher a lot for not sitting still on the carpet?
I’m not a reception teacher but have worked with SEN children for a long time and have observed children and therefore their teachers in lots of different classrooms.
What doesn’t work- being told constantly to stop etc. Teacher getting cross.

What does work from a range- designated carpet square, visual timetable/prompts, a timer, frequent rewards for appropriate behaviour, strategic ignoring, sitting away with a ta keeping them busy on a relevant task, being withdrawn completely by a ta. Obviously a TA needs to be there to be able to do that.
I was in a y6 class the other day where a child was kneeling on the floor to write on a chair.
The teacher needs to be confident, flexible and think creatively. The teacher needs to show the child is liked, valued and cared about.
Some are better at this than others. Having a my plan or some individualised steps to support the child would help regardless of or up until any diagnosis based on his/her needs.