Using my senses
Understanding the different senses
Our senses help us understand the world around us:
- sight helps us understand what we see around us
- hearing helps when listening to sounds, voices and instructions
- touch is for feeling textures, temperature and pressure
- taste helps us recognise different food flavours
- smell helps when detecting and recognising smells
- body awareness (proprioception) helps us know where our body is and how much force to use
- movement and balance (vestibular) helps us know how our body is moving and stay balanced
- interoception helps us understand internal body signals such as hunger, thirst and pain
Possible signs of sensory difficulties and ways to give more sensory input if needed
| Sensory area | Possible signs | Examples of sensory input |
|---|---|---|
| Movement and balance | Constantly on the go, seeks movement, dislikes playground equipment or experiences travel sickness. | Walking, jumping, dancing, scooter play, climbing and trampolining. |
| Body awareness | Clumsy, bumps into things, poor handwriting or uses too much or too little force. | Carrying, pushing, pulling, lifting, digging, animal walks and obstacle courses. |
| Touch | Dislikes messy play, certain clothes, labels or unexpected touch. | Playdough, messy play and craft activities. |
| Sounds | Sensitive to noise, struggles in busy environments or does not always respond when called. | Music, rhythm activities and action songs. |
| Visual | Easily distracted, sensitive to bright lights or notices everything in a room. | Bright colours, visual schedules and demonstrations. |
| Interoception | Does not recognise hunger, thirst, temperature or needing the toilet. | Use cognitive strategies such as routines. |
Supporting children who become overwhelmed
| Strategy | Example |
|---|---|
| Create routines | Use visual timetables and predictable routines. |
| Prepare for change | Give warnings before transitions using timers or countdowns. |
| Reduce sensory overload | Reduce clutter, noise or bright lights where possible. |
| Provide a calm space | Offer a quiet area for breaks when needed. |
| Use clear language | Give short, simple instructions. |
| Provide calming activities | Heavy work, movement breaks, yoga or deep pressure activities. |
Top tips for parents
Do
- observe what helps your child feel calm and organised
- recognise early signs of overwhelm
- offer regular movement opportunities
- use routines and visual supports
Try to avoid
- waiting until your child is very distressed before helping
- comparing your child to others
- expecting children to sit still for long periods if they need movement
- making lots of changes at once
Remember
Every child experiences the world differently. Understanding your child's sensory preferences can help you support their learning, behaviour, emotional wellbeing and participation in everyday activities.