Let’s talk sensory diets, snacks and inputs in education
A sensory diet is a group of activities that help children to self-regulate. Many children with sensory processing difficulties need a regular sensory input to allow them to feel calm and organized. It allows children to maintain that just right level to support them with their learning throughout the day.
If sensory diets or regular sensory snacks are suggested by professionals, its important for the educational setting to support the child in maintain and accessing a regular sensory input which is tailored to the child to meet that child induvial need as the sensory system operates differently. Allowing them to achieve that just right balance while they are at school.
A regular sensory diet at school will help
Improve attention and focus
Improve emotional regulation
Reducing behavioral challenges
Increases the Childs motivation
Improves the child fine and gross motor skills
Provides inclusion
Sensory breaks are potion of time that is designated to allow children time to deescalate from the sensory stimulation in the classroom environment. These are meals in your sensory diet, the break should offer the child a chunk of sensory inputs to aid regulation.
If the school is reluctant to help with maintaining a regular sensory diet in the child’s educational setting speak with your child’s occupational therapist about activities that may be suitable in a school environment and how to make the sensory breaks effective for your child based to meet your child’s regulation needs. If you feel that your child has sensory difficulties, you can contact your GP and express your concerns to help get a sensory assessment.
Sensory breaks are also beneficial for children who need additional movement or deep pressure input to help the child to focus with attention and their learning.
Sensory activity breaks in the classroom could be:
Movement break allowing children time to egress from the classroom. Doing a job, taking a note to another class.
Rice tray
Play dough
Gel bag
Flour tray
Fidget toys – Stress ball, tangle, pop tube, snapper,
Chewable necklace, pencil topper, arm band
Wall pushes
Popcorn jumps
Weighted items, blanket, backpack, lap pad
Shake a calming glitter bottle
Bean bag squeezes
Eat a crunchy snack
Sensory swing
Body sock
Mini trampoline
Resistant bands – wrap around the child’s chair
Gym ball or peanut ball
Planks
Jumping jacks
Jog on the spot
Weighted hula hoop
