In the present times, children are always surrounded by sounds and sights that shape how they behave and learn from their surroundings. Understanding your child’s sensory needs is crucial to help them thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Sensory processing in children is a way in which your brain interprets signals from your senses. Every child has a unique sensory system. These signals are vital for regulating emotions, behaviour and learning.
At DPS Warangal, the faculty is trained to recognise sensory needs. With our inclusive CBSE environment, we make optimum use of sensory strategies for school.
This blog is a guide for parents and educators to understand your child’s sensory needs. Let’s see how these needs promote emotional stability and reduce stress for children.
How sensory processing works
Sensory processing works through our eight sensory systems, which are – Visual, Auditory, Tactile, Olfactory, Gustatory, Vestibular, Proprioceptive, and Interoceptive.
Further, two Sensory types that affect children’s learning, emotions and behaviour in social interactions are Hyposensitivity and Hypersensitivity. Hyposensitivity refers to decreased or under-responsiveness to sensory input, leading to low sensory feedback. It requires more input for the brain to notice sensations. In contrast, Hypersensitivity refers to increased or over-responsivity from an exaggerated immune system. It involves a strong human response to ordinary input, causing anxiety and isolation.
Signs like fidgeting or constant movement are some sensory-seeking signs, while avoiding crowds and covering ears are some sensory-avoiding signs that one should look out for as common signs in children. This directly impacts stress, causing distractions and reduced focus.
Common sensory challenges in students
Many times, students indicate sensory challenges they face by avoiding crowds and covering their ears in environments with auditory overload. Fidgeting or constant movement during lessons signals the need for proprioceptive and vestibular inputs. While struggling with opening lunch packaging demands tactile sensory needs in students. This avoidance hints at the overwhelming sensory demands in students.
These challenges have a direct impact on a student’s learning and behaviour, resulting in reduced focus, anxiety, irritability, isolation and refusal to participate. Withdrawal from daily routine also affects peer relationships, thus disbalancing emotional stability in students.
At DPS Warangal, our staff have been well-trained to spot and deal with such situations. With sensory-friendly environments, we highly encourage sensory strategies for school and promote sensory-friendly resources. Our school embraces the CBSE holistic education methods with its inclusive practices.
Evidence-based strategies DPS Warangal implements
DPS Warangal ensures the implementation of a classroom sensory-friendly environment through the strategies below:
- Sensory-friendly Spaces & Tools: DPS Warangal offers a calm and composed space for students to feel relaxation during sensory overload in the classroom. We use tactile objects like textured boards to enhance touch input. Alongside, we encourage the use of fidget toys like stress balls and tangles for students’ better focus.
- Personalised Sensory Breaks: Our school practices regular movement breaks for stretching and yoga. Proprioceptive activities like pushing walls and carrying books help students in self-regulating and return with a relaxed mind. We have set up sensory corners with cushions, bean bags, and other tactile items for students to declutter their overstimulated selves.
- Classroom Adaptations: DPS Warangal’s classroom sensory-friendly environments facilitate students with flexible seating by wobble chairs and floor cushions. Our adjustable lighting gives a natural light preference for students. In addition, we also use noise-cancelling headphones for auditory-sensitive children. We have designed our classrooms to reduce crowding and distractions for the students to focus better.
- Collaboration with Specialists: DPS Warangal sensory support encourages both teachers and students to consult the school counsellor regularly. They offer tailored support plans for children, depending on their diverse needs. We collaborate with specialists to encourage CBSE’s holistic education in our curriculum.
Benefits & Impact
A regulated sensory system comes with various benefits attached to it. Emotionally, children feel safe and supported with proper self-regulation. One can experience a reduction in anxiety and frequent meltdowns. Academically, students can experience improved attention span and focus, which can be seen in the way they deal with sensory overload in the classroom. A regulated sensory system boosts memory and helps in achieving the desired learning outcomes.
Research shows that sensory integration can also aid in enhancing control over emotions. It supports better retention of information. The sensory system is also responsible for building resilience in challenging outcomes. Along with individual growth, a sensory-friendly space embraces peer relationships. With positive relationships, it enhances overall student well-being, results and confidence.
How parents can support at home?
Parents play a crucial role in creating a sensory-friendly space for their children. They can do this by designing sensory corners with cushions or blankets to make it a safe area for children to calm themselves down. Providing your child with tactile items like fidget toys and textured bins may relax them during sensory overload in the classroom.
It is important for parents to keep an eye on their children’s behaviour. Look out for their hypo- or hypersensitive behaviours, such as their response to noise and touch, or seeking behaviours like jumping or fidgeting. These patterns will help you identify and consult with teachers for better school support.
One of the ways to treat anxiety is by following a consistent daily routine. However, what stands out more importantly is taking a short sensory break from the routine. Activities like stretching, yoga, prevent stiffness and break away the monotony of the daily routine.
The best way to monitor these patterns is to partner with our counsellors to find solutions for prevailing problems. This way, parents can implement classroom strategies at home to create a similar positive learning environment for their children. A school-home consistency maintains sensory integration success.
To conclude, it is essential to meet your child’s sensory needs to achieve better behaviour, focus, academic and individual growth. This sensory support can be attained through both emotional regulation and confidence.
We, at DPS Warangal, adopt a holistic CBSE education in sensory-friendly spaces. Our trained faculty, well-designed classrooms and sensory-friendly spaces are a step towards fulfilling your child’s sensory needs.
Our team invited parents to visit the Delhi Public School in Warangal campus to connect with our teachers and build on a strong parent-teacher collaboration for the strengthening of your children. Explore our sensory-aware classrooms in action. Feel free to contact school counsellors for both yourself and your child to ensure a seamless learning journey!