Monday mornings often bring multiple concurrent demands. Students request help, classroom noise rises, and the body responds with tension and sensory load. Shadow teachers, educators, and parents supporting neurodivergent learners regularly step into environments that require calm coordination and quick thinking. A short self-regulation pause supports focus and engagement for both the adult and the learner.

Why Monday mornings feel intense in classrooms

Research identifies mornings as peak periods for activation of stress responses and decision fatigue in educational spaces. Short grounding routines reduce stress responses and support self-regulation. According to research by the American Psychological Association, even brief breathing practices improve attention and emotional control in the classroom (APA, 2023).

Neurodivergent learners often rely on co-regulation from the adults supporting them. A regulated adult provides presence and structure. A short sensory or motor pause interrupts overwhelm before it accumulates. This is not a replacement for systemic support. It is a small routine that promotes clarity.

A quick art plus breathing reset for shadow teachers

Here is a twenty second tool that works in busy spaces, corridors, or even in a bathroom stall.

Step 1: Raise one hand.
Step 2: Tap your thumb to each finger.
Step 3: Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Step 4: Draw a slow circle in the air with your hand.

This integrates tactile input, visual focus, and rhythmic breathing. Studies in occupational therapy confirm that rhythmic movement and finger tapping decrease cognitive overload and increase grounding in educators and students (AOTA Journal, 2022).

Why this method supports shadow teachers

Shadow teachers often balance instruction, behaviour support, sensory monitoring, and task scaffolding. A quick regulation strategy supports:

• Decreased sensory overload
• Increased focus
• Improved emotional regulation
• Faster transition back into the learning environment

Mindfulness-based grounding tools are supported by evidence for reducing burnout and improving engagement in educators (Journal of School Psychology, 2022).

CTA for readers

Save this routine for a Monday morning when tasks feel stacked. Share it with a colleague or parent who supports neurodivergent learners.

If you are a shadow teacher, special educator, or parent, explore more strategies and resources on EducateAble.
• Book 1:1 guidance for classroom support
• Download free inclusive education templates
• Enrol in our Alison courses on shadow teaching and inclusive learning

Your presence shapes the learning space. Your regulation supports your work and your learners.

References
American Psychological Association. Classroom stress research review. 2023.
AOTA Journal. Sensory regulation and tactile strategies in educational practice. 2022.
Journal of School Psychology. Mindfulness strategies for educators. 2022.