🌿 Quiet 1:1 Learning Stations

• Neutral table mat to define the foam-dice activity area
• Use soft lighting (lamp instead of bright overhead lights where possible)
• Provide a visual “start–finish” tray so learners see clear structure
• Include using a now and next board
• Optional noise-reducing headphones
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols

👥 Small Group Table Setups

• Semi-circle table with only essential materials visible
• Dice rolled into a shallow tray or box lid to reduce movement of dice
• Visual rule cards placed flat rather than on busy displays
• Include using a now and next board
• Optional noise-reducing headphones
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols
• Use visual and sign/gesture prompts to support turn-taking

🧺 Circle Time Adaptations

• Use a soft rug with individual seating spots (dots or cushions)
• One central “dice mat” rather than passing dice around constantly
• Assign a calm “dice helper” role to collect the dice if it rolls too far away
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols
• Use visual and sign/gesture prompts to support turn-taking
• Optional noise-reducing headphones

Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols

🪑 1:1 Support Area

• Side table away from busy entrances or busy rooms
• Neutral coloured tablecloth
• A large lid or box top to roll dice in to reduce movement of dice
• Clear written and visual prompts support for each dice
• Allow choice of standing or seated positions
• Optional noise-reducing headphones
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols

🤝 Small Social Groups

• Round table with 3–4 participants maximum
• Use larger foam dice for easy grip without loud impact
• Provide predictable turn-taking visuals
• Keep background music off or very low
• A large lid or box top to roll dice in to reduce movement of dice
• Clear written and visual prompts support for each dice
• Allow choice of standing or seated positions
• Optional noise-reducing headphones
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols

🧠 Structured Activity Zones

• Divide the room into “active” and “quiet focus” areas
• Foam dice activities stay only in the quiet zone
• Use neutral-coloured screens or shelves as visual boundaries
• A large lid or box top to roll dice in to reduce movement of dice
• Clear written and visual prompts support for each dice
• Allow choice of standing or seated positions
• Optional noise-reducing headphones
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols

🏡 At Home (Children or Adults)

🛋️ Calm Tabletop Areas

• Dining table sectioned with a placemat to signal “learning time”
• Reduce background TV noise or even better, turn off noise completely.
• Keep only one dice, one set of flashcards and one instruction card visible at a time unless otherwise stated for an activity.
• Neutral coloured tablecloth
• A large lid or box top to roll dice in to reduce movement of dice
• Clear written and visual prompts support for each dice
• Allow choice of standing or seated positions
• Optional noise-reducing headphones
• Use other visual support alongside your speech such as Makaton signs and symbols

🧸 Floor-Based Calm Spaces

• Soft rug + cushion + low tray for rolling dice
• Use wall-facing position for reduced distractions
• Storage basket nearby so materials aren’t scattered

🕯️ Environments for learning

• Natural light where possible
• Soft, neutral colours rather than bright themed décor
• Timer or sand timer to give predictable endings

🧍‍♀️ Supporting Different Interaction Styles

✔️ 1:1 With a Child or Adult

• Sit at a 90-degree angle instead of directly opposite (less pressure)
• Roll dice into a tray to control sound and movement
• Offer multi-modal support, for example, Makaton signs, symbols and verbal instructions

👨‍👩‍👧 Group Circle Time

• Use foam dice so everyone can see without crowding
• Pre-teach rules visually to reduce verbal overload
• Keep movement predictable (roll → action → reset)

👩‍⚕️ Adult Group at a Day Centre

• Build routine: greeting → dice activity → calm closing
• Allow choice cards (“roll”, “watch”, “pass”) to support autonomy
• Maintain slower pacing with pauses between turns