Many children thrive on routines because predictable patterns help them feel safe, organised,
and in control. Routines act as an internal “map” that tells children what to expect and how to
prepare themselves emotionally and behaviourally throughout the day
However, not all children respond the same way. For some—particularly those who are more
sensitive, anxious, neurodivergent (including ADHD or ASD), or who have recently experienced
stress or transitions—changes in routine can be especially challenging.
What Happens in the Brain When Routines Change?
When routines shift, several things can happen:
1. Loss of Predictability
Children rely on predictability to regulate themselves. Unexpected changes increase cognitive
load—meaning they have to work harder to understand what’s happening and what is expected.
2. Reduced Sense of Control
A predictable routine gives children a sense of mastery. When routines change, they can feel
overwhelmed or powerless, triggering fight-flight-freeze behaviours (e.g., irritability, withdrawal,
hyperactivity, or defiance).
3. Sensory Regulation Disruptions
Special events, rehearsals, and schedule changes often come with:
● New environments
● Larger groups
● More noise
● Different timing of meals, breaks, or movement
For children who are sensory-sensitive or who rely on rhythmic routines to stay regulated, this
can easily lead to dysregulation.
4. Emotional Overflow
Excitement + uncertainty = heightened emotional arousal. Even positive events (like holidays)
can destabilise children who need structure to feel grounded.
Why the Winter Break Period is Especially Challenging
Schools often shift into:
● Rehearsal schedules
● Special assemblies
● Combined classes
● Busy, noisy environments
● Extra social expectations
For most children these are fun; for others, they remove the stabilising structure that allows
them to cope.
At the same time, home routines also tend to change: later nights, special events, travel, or
visiting relatives. The combination of school and home disruption can create the “perfect storm”
for dysregulation.
What We Can Do to Help – How ICWC Supports Children During Routine Changes
1. Prepare Children Early
ICWC’s occupational therapists, psychologists, and learning support specialists can help
schools and families prepare children for upcoming changes using:
● Visual schedules
● Predictable transitions
● Simple social stories
● “First–then” language
These tools help children understand what will change and what will stay the same.
2. Maintain Key Anchor Points
Even when school schedules shift, ICWC encourages families to keep familiar routines at
home—morning rituals, bedtime routines, and consistent mealtimes. Our team can help identify
which “anchor points” are most stabilising for each child.
3. Create “Micro-Routines” Within Busy Days
ICWC clinicians often teach children and teachers how to build small, predictable moments into
chaotic days, such as:
● A brief grounding activity before rehearsals
● A consistent calming strategy afterwards
● A quick sensory break at set times
● These simple routines help regulate the nervous system.
4. Support Individual Sensory Needs
Our occupational therapy team can recommend personalised sensory strategies, such as:
● Noise-reducing headphones
● Movement or proprioceptive breaks
● Fidgets or grounding tools
● A quiet “reset space”
These supports help children avoid sensory overload in noisy rehearsal periods.
5. Provide Emotional and Behavioral Coaching
ICWC’s psychologists and counsellors can guide families and teachers in how to validate
children’s feelings and respond calmly to signs of dysregulation. When children feel understood,
their emotional load decreases.
6. Offer Extra Co-Regulation Strategies
ICWC practitioners can demonstrate how adults can use tone, pacing, body language, and
predictable responses to help children borrow calm from the adult—an essential skill when
routines are shifting.
7. Help Identify Early Signs of Stress
Our team helps parents and teachers recognise the early indicators that a child is becoming
overwhelmed:
● Increased irritability
● Clinginess or withdrawal
● Impulsivity
● Sleep changes
Recognising these signs early allows adults to intervene before behaviours escalate.
Final Thought
Big routine changes—like those that happen before winter break—aren’t “bad” for children, but
they do remove the structure that many rely upon to stay emotionally organised. With
preparation, sensory supports, and predictable anchors, we can help children navigate this
exciting but potentially overwhelming time successfully.
