Mister 7's preferred morning routine was to turn on the TV as soon as he woke up and start playing on his iPad. He would do this while eating breakfast and getting ready for the day. This routine had a significant impact on his morning routine, making it difficult for him to focus on anything else. His family found it challenging to get him dressed, brush his teeth and complete other tasks as he was too focused on his screen time.
Furthermore, any attempts to divert his attention from his screen were met with aggression and anger. Mister 7's parents were concerned about the negative impact screen time was having on his morning routine, and they were determined to find a solution.
Discovering a New Hobby
One day, Mister 7's younger sister showed their support worker a cardboard box construction he had made for her over the weekend. Intrigued, the support worker started a conversation with him and found out that he loved activities that involved working with his hands. She suggested that they could do craft activities in the morning, but he firmly said no.
Due to time constraints, completing full craft activities was going to be challenging. So, their support worker suggested jigsaw puzzles. She explained that they could leave the puzzle set up on the table and work on it each day until it was complete.
A New Morning Routine
To their surprise, Mister 7 took to it like a duck to water. For the past few weeks, they have been doing puzzles every morning. He is constantly asking for new ones with more pieces, and he has not requested screen time during this period. Additionally, his aggression and outbursts have lessened, and he is enjoying the one-to-one interaction with his support worker. He says it makes him feel important, and he looks forward to their time together.
The Impact of the New Routine
The impact of this new routine has been remarkable. Mister 7 is getting ready for the day in record time, and there have been no requests for screen time. He is more settled when going to school, and his parents have noticed a positive change in his behaviour.
Furthermore, the jigsaw puzzle activity has enriched the relationship between Mister 7 and his support worker. He struggles with her dividing her time between him and his younger siblings, so this is a great way to spend some quality time together.
Final Thoughts
In this case, introducing jigsaw puzzles has had a profound effect on Mister 7's morning routine, behaviour, and relationship with his support worker. It is a small change, but the benefits are significant. We should encourage children to engage in activities that help them develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interaction.
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