Shop Subscribe

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty

Tips and trending topics for the teacher who's always learning

schoolyard-logo
  • Education Essentials
  • Inspiration & Planning
  • Learning Spaces
  • Podcasts
  • Topics
  • Search
  • < Previous post
    Next post >
    Calming Cafeteria Chaos

    Special Needs
    • Jul 24, 2015 • Last Modified: Nov 15, 2017

    Calming Cafeteria Chaos

    Many of you know that the lunchroom may be the one of the most hectic parts of a school day. Most classes have a very finite time allotted to get in, get served, eat and get cleaned up. Add in the noise factor, the glare of overhead fluorescent lights and the smells emanating from the kitchen and for children with sensory processing challenges this can be a recipe for disaster.

    Having options to keep noise levels down is a must! I know one principal who would come and dim the lights and voila! the loud chattering dimmed as well in response. The Yacker Tracker is another creative way to monitor sound levels while providing a visual cue for guidelines. Green means healthy sound levels while yellow and red indicate the need to calm and quiet down. Cozy Shades may be the perfect solution for fluorescent lights which may be causing excess glare from laminate top cafeteria tables. For students that need extra deep touch pressure input to help with calming and body awareness, try a weighted lap pad (slide inside a small pillowcase in case of spills!).

    Just as in the classroom, practicing good sensory lifestyle strategies like these may help calm cafeteria chaos and promote a happy meal for all!

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Recommended

    Teacher Health and Wellness

    Teacher Life

    Teacher Health and Wellness

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 10: Let’s Talk About Burnout and Staff Shortages

    The Schoolyard Podcast

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 10: Let’s Talk About Burnout and Staff Shortages

    Contract Buying: No Bids, No RFPs, All the Savings

    Education Essentials

    Contract Buying: No Bids, No RFPs, All the Savings

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 9: Sensory Spaces, Not Just for Students

    The Schoolyard Podcast

    The Schoolyard Podcast Episode 9: Sensory Spaces, Not Just for Students

    Explore The Schoolyard

    Education Essentials

    Inspiration & Planning

    Learning Spaces

     

    TopicsShop Subscribe

    Copyright © 2023 School Specialty, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement · Social Media Statement · Do Not Sell My Personal Information - CA Resident Only

  • CATEGORIES

    • Education Essentials
    • Inspiration & Planning
    • Learning Spaces
  • TOPICS

    • Arts & Crafts
    • Early Childhood
    • Special Needs
    • Physical Education
    • Educational Technology
    • Student Resources
    • Organization & Storage
    • Classroom Management
    • STEAM & STEM
    • 21st Century Learning
    • Reading & Literacy
    • Healthy Students
    • Teacher Life
    • Back to School
    • Celebrations & Seasons
    • Out of School
    • News
    • Math
    • Science
    • Podcasts
    • Topics
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube