Sensory processing is integral to early childhood development, influencing how children interact with their environment, peers, and learning materials. Yet some children have a more difficult time processing the sensory stimulation that happens throughout the day. For these children, the classroom can be an overwhelming place full of sights, sounds, and textures that put them on edge.
As an early childhood professional, you may wonder how to support children with sensory processing issues and provide a classroom environment that helps them flourish academically, socially, and emotionally. In this article, you'll explore the topic of sensory processing, common challenges children experience when overstimulated, and simple strategies that will help you create a sensory-friendly early childhood classroom.
What is sensory processing, and how does it affect self-regulation?
The five senses—sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste—are how our brains process information and learn from the world around us. Children use their sense of sight to observe a teacher demonstrating a new skill. A child's sense of smell may trigger hunger responses as a plate of food is placed in front of them during lunchtime.
Some children have no problems receiving sensory stimulation throughout the day and using it to respond appropriately to their surroundings. For other children, the constant sensory inputs from the early childhood classroom are too much to handle. These children may react to sensory stimulation in atypical, inappropriate, or unexpected ways, resulting in behaviors that disrupt and challenge the classroom community.
Children with sensory processing issues need support from educators, peers, and their environment to regain control of their emotions and succeed in the classroom.
What does a sensory processing issue look like in the classroom?
An early childhood educator wants children to pay attention, easily follow routines, transition peacefully, and control their emotions as they play. However, this is not always possible for children who have trouble with the sensory processing centers of the brain.
Sensory processing challenges in your classroom could look like the following:
- Struggling with behavior and/or attention during periods of transition
- Bolting or running away when asked to do something
- Abnormal responses to pain
- Difficulty with redirection
- Not engaging in classroom activities
- Fidgety or trouble sitting still
Please note that just because a child exhibits these behaviors does not mean they have a sensory processing issue. These behaviors can exist for any number of reasons. However, children with genuine challenges processing sensory input will often exhibit more intense reactions to sensory stimulation than other children their age.
How can you design a sensory-friendly early childhood classroom?
The classroom environment significantly influences how children feel throughout the day. Too much sensory stimulation can affect how children participate during lessons, comprehend information, and interact with others. Here are a few ways you can create a sensory-friendly environment that meets the needs of every child:
Make the space feel calm.
Children with sensory processing issues can quickly become overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights, bold colors, clutter, and even overpowering smells. To alleviate visual stimulation issues, consider furnishing and decorating your classroom with neutral tones and natural materials. Use storage containers to organize materials on classroom shelving. Consider removing excess art or decorations from your classroom walls to reduce visual stimulation.
It is not always easy to eliminate noise in an early childhood classroom. To support children with noise sensitivities, encourage the use of "inside voices" during group activities and free play. Noise-canceling headphones or furnishings that absorb sound are also a great option for reducing auditory stimulation and helping children focus during activities and lessons. When children need a sensory break, a cozy classroom hideaway is a great destination where they can find respite and a place to recharge and refocus.
Provide flexibility.
The ability to move around, rest, and escape is vital for children with sensory processing issues as they work on self-regulation. Create a cozy spot in one corner of your classroom where children can regroup if they feel overstimulated. Incorporate flexible seating options such as wiggle stools or Washable Wicker Poufs that allow children to move around while participating in group activities.
Furniture with multiple uses or tiered playing surfaces is an excellent addition to the sensory-friendly classroom. These pieces offer flexible spaces for all children to explore, play, and learn together, improving collaboration and communication skills.
Provide tools that enrich sensory processing.
While giving stimulating toys to children with sensory processing issues may seem counterintuitive, that is not the case. Sensory toys give children control over their sensory input and how they respond to it. These toys also help children focus and pay attention and can improve participation during classroom activities and lessons. Some of the best sensory toys to support children with sensory processing issues include:
- Sensory or kid-friendly sand alternatives
Incorporate daily routines that balance sensory processing.
Periods of transition and large group activities like circle time can often be stressful for young children, especially those with sensory processing issues. During circle time or large group activities, use songs and movement to break up the amount of time children spend sitting.
It may also be helpful to incorporate "brain breaks" throughout the day, especially during chaotic classroom times, to help children self-regulate and refocus. These brain breaks can incorporate activities like yoga, dancing, or simple exercises to get children moving.
When creating brain breaks, it is a great idea to test different movement activities to see which one the children resonate with most. If possible, ask the children which activity they think works best or use their behavior during the brain break to judge whether it is helping them regain control and focus in your classroom.
Create a classroom environment that successfully supports children's sensory processing.
Supporting sensory processing in the early childhood classroom is not only about addressing issues as they arise; it is about creating an environment where all children can thrive. By thoughtfully designing your space with calming colors, flexible furnishings, and sensory tools, you can help children stay calm and focused in the most sensory stimulating of environments.
Remember, you do not need to revamp your entire classroom in order to implement the suggestions above. Making small adjustments over time will make big improvements in the long run. For more information about creating sensory-friendly classrooms and supporting children with sensory processing issues, check out the book Wired Differently: A Teacher's Guide to Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges.
