The vestibular system is one of those topics I keep coming back to — because it shows up everywhere. And when I explain it to parents and teachers, I see this moment of recognition: oh, that’s what’s happening. So I’ve taken care with this one, to make it as useful …
Demystifying the Vestibular System: its impacts on posture, regulation, and learning Read More »
If you’ve ever watched a child experience a meltdown, where it can seem to go from 0–100 so quickly, or a shutdown when they seem to suddenly ‘zone out’, it can be confusing, frustrating, upsetting, or all of the above. When this occurs, it’s not ‘defiance’, but the child’s nervous …
This blog is your how-to-guide, for creating a fun halloween themed sensory activity to supports kids interoception skills – with spooky spaghetti! Interoception refers to our body’s ability to sense and interpret internal signals — things like hunger, thirst, the need to use the bathroom (we call these “homeostatic emotions”), …
Boosting Interoception with spooky spaghetti: A fun halloween sensory activity Read More »
Body signal experiments are simple activities or tasks that are designed to help you tune into your body’s internal signals. They can be as simple as “run on the spot for 30 seconds, now place your hand over your heart. How does your heart feel?” (the child is tuning into …
Using body signal experiments to build interoception and emotional regulation skills Read More »
Have you ever asked a child, “How do you think that person feels?” and been met with a blank stare – or a completely unexpected answer? Some kids can instantly pick up on these social cues, while others struggle to connect facial expressions, body language, and verbal cues to emotions. Teaching …
You’re giving important instructions to your students when you notice Sally staring out the window, John is rocking back and forth at the end of the classroom, and now Gary is beginning to have a meltdown and needs your support immediately. Busy, high-energy environments can quickly tip into overwhelming chaos …
Managing sensory overload in the classroom: Strategies for teachers Read More »
Supporting kids to first understand their emotions, and then how to move through and express these emotions safely, is an important part of their social and emotional development. But this can be tricky, especially with a complex emotion like anger. That’s where using analogies, hands-on experiments, and play can be …
When introducing a new skill, we often begin at the start, which can sometimes be frustrating for children as they may become easily discouraged. To give your child a sense of accomplishment, try using the backward chaining technique. This method is particularly effective for teaching self-care skills like dressing and …
Backward Chaining: A step-by-step guide to teaching new skills Read More »
“He absolutely LOVES transitions” – not something I hear very often or ever! Transitions are those times throughout the day when kids need to shift from one activity to another — whether it’s leaving the playground for lunch, moving from playtime to bedtime, or a big life transition like starting …
Learning to brush our teeth is an essential skill that sets a strong foundation for good oral hygiene. However, getting kids to brush their teeth regularly can be challenging for both parents and educators. Many children find brushing boring, resist routine tasks, or don’t understand proper techniques. So where do …
Teeth brushing 101 – Strategies for teaching kids to brush their teeth Read More »
