When I first began working with young children at Little Angels Early Learning Centre, it didn’t take long to realise that learning is far more than letters and numbers. I’d watch some children dive into puzzles with focus and ease, while others couldn’t sit still long enough to open the box. I saw little ones cover their ears at group time or become overwhelmed by bright, busy displays. What I’ve learned over the years — through trial, reflection, and collaboration with wonderful occupational therapists — is that sensory skills childcare isn’t just a “nice to know” area. It’s foundational.
If a child can’t process the sounds around them, stay calm in their body, or manage their position in space, it’s no wonder they struggle to concentrate. Enhancing sensory skills doesn’t mean overhauling the curriculum-it means looking at how we can help children regulate, feel safe, and stay engaged long enough to learn. It means making schools more inclusive, more responsive, and more successful for every child-not just those with diagnosed sensory needs.
Why Sensory Skills Matter More Than You Think?
Every child processes the world through their senses-but not all do it the same way. Sensory processing is the brain’s way of taking in and organising information from eight sensory systems, including the usual five (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell), along with three less obvious but equally crucial systems: vestibular (balance and movement), proprioception (body awareness), and interoception (internal cues like hunger or the need to use the toilet).
Now imagine trying to focus on a maths task when your chair feels wobbly, the lights are buzzing, your jumper’s too scratchy, and you’re not quite sure where your body is in space. It’s hard enough for adults-and near impossible for some children.
Research has shown that sensory skills are closely tied to core areas of learning. For instance:
- The vestibular system affects visual tracking-essential for reading and writing.
- Tactile feedback and proprioception influence handwriting, scissor use, and general fine motor development.
- Sensory integration underpins memory, emotional regulation, and even verbal expression.
In our preschool room, I remember one boy-let’s call him Luca-who couldn’t sit on the mat for more than a minute without fidgeting, leaning on others, or lying flat. At first glance, it looked like defiance. But after observing more closely and speaking with his mum, we realised he wasn’t being difficult-he just didn’t have the body awareness to hold himself upright without fatigue. Once we gave him a wobble cushion and allowed him to lie on his tummy for group activities, his participation improved almost overnight.
This sort of shift doesn’t just help children “behave” better-it helps them learn better. Because when their sensory needs are met, their brains are freed up for higher thinking.
The Impact Of Sensory Differences In The Classroom
Some children are sensitive to the tiniest sensory triggers. The smell of someone’s lunch, the flicker of a faulty fluorescent light, or the hum of a nearby air conditioner can send them into a spiral. Others seek sensory input-chewing pencils, rocking, crashing into furniture, or talking non-stop.
Both ends of the spectrum can affect a child’s ability to thrive in a school setting.
Here’s what we often see:
- Attentional difficulties – zoning out or hyper-focusing on irrelevant things
- Distractibility – unable to filter out background noise or visual clutter
- Challenges with transitions – struggling to shift from one task to another
- Emotional dysregulation – meltdowns, anxiety, or withdrawal
- Underperformance in reading, writing, and maths due to poor motor coordination or inability to stay seated
- Social difficulties – avoiding peers or being misunderstood due to impulsive behaviours
Let’s put this into a real-world school setting. Picture a Year 1 student-Amira-who loves learning but often “acts up” during literacy. She fidgets, interrupts, and sometimes ends up sent to the office. But what’s really going on is that she’s struggling with auditory processing. She finds it hard to isolate her teacher’s voice from the hum of the ceiling fan and the scrape of chairs on tiles. Her behaviour is not about attention-seeking-it’s sensory overload.
When we recognise that behaviour is communication, we can begin to meet students where they are. By tuning into their sensory needs, we give them the foundation they need to access the curriculum, engage with their peers, and show us what they’re capable of.
Building Sensory-Smart Classrooms That Boost Learning
Back when I was setting up the first Little Angels room for my own children, I didn’t realise I was unknowingly creating a sensory-rich environment. I just wanted the space to feel calm and inviting. But as I learned more over the years, I began to understand that little things-like where you place a desk, how soft the lighting is, or whether there’s space to retreat-can make a big difference in how children focus, regulate and learn.
A sensory-smart classroom isn’t noisy or chaotic. Nor is it silent and clinical. It’s intentional. Every corner serves a purpose, and every child has a spot where they feel like they can breathe.
Here are practical ways schools can create sensory-rich spaces that support learning:
1. Conduct Regular Sensory Audits
Set aside time each term-perhaps during pupil-free days-to assess your classroom. Involve your learning support team if you have one, or even ask older students to help. Use a checklist to look at:
- Lighting – Are the lights too bright, buzzing, or flickering?
- Noise levels – Can outside traffic, buzzing tech, or hallway chatter be heard clearly inside?
- Visual clutter – Are your walls “busy” with posters, student work, and dangling art?
- Smells – Are there strong odours from cleaning products, perfumes or nearby cooking areas?
- Temperature – Is there an area that gets too hot or cold depending on the season?
Simple changes like using natural light, removing old posters, or switching desks away from the noisy corridor can have an enormous impact.
2. Offer Flexible Seating Options
Not every student learns best sitting upright in a standard chair. I’ve had preschoolers who focus far better while kneeling on cushions, lying on their tummies, or standing at the edge of a low table. Some like to perch, sway, or lean.
Try providing:
- Floor mats with clipboards for lying down to work
- Cushions, wedges or wobble stools
- Standing desks or higher benches
- Bean bags or quiet nooks for independent reading
Here’s a tip: Label the different seating options not by “need” but by learning styles. That way, students don’t feel singled out.
| Seating Option | Suitable For Students Who… |
| Floor mats + clipboards | Struggle to sit still for long periods |
| Wobble stools | Need movement to stay engaged |
| Beanbags | Feel anxious and need a safe retreat |
| Standing desks | Prefer to move or shift weight as they think |
3. Create Calm-Down Corners
I’ll never forget one five-year-old who would growl when he got overwhelmed. No words-just a soft little growl. We set up a calm-down space with soft lighting, a few pillows, a box of fidget tools, and picture cards for “I feel…” choices. That small space became his sanctuary-and by the end of the term, he didn’t growl anymore. He used his words.
Every classroom should have a spot like this, not as a “naughty corner”, but as a tool for self-regulation.
You might include:
- A comfy chair or rug
- Weighted items (lap snake, small blanket)
- Noise-reducing headphones
- Sand timers
- Laminated emotion cards
- A poster with calming strategies: “Take three deep breaths,” “Count to 10,” “Squeeze your hands and release”
Give children permission to use the space when they feel overloaded-and teach the class that it’s for anyone who needs a reset.
Improving Classroom Participation Through Sensory Support
If a student is constantly told to “sit still” or “pay attention,” but their body just can’t comply, they’ll eventually disengage or act out. That’s not disobedience-it’s unmet need.
When we meet those sensory needs, we don’t just prevent problems. We unlock participation.
Here’s what we can do:
Modify Seating Placement Strategically
- Seat sensory-sensitive students near calm zones-not beside windows, high-traffic doorways, or noisy friends.
- Position desks away from noisy fans or fluorescent lights.
- Allow space between desks if children are sensitive to touch or easily distracted by movement.
Incorporate Tactile Tools
Some students need to touch, fiddle or move their hands constantly to process information. Rather than fighting it, give them something quiet and purposeful:
- Velcro strips under their desk
- Pencil grips
- Smooth stones or soft-textured cushions
- Clipboard surfaces with sandpaper or bumpy textures
Respect Sensory Thresholds
A child who’s overwhelmed by the morning routine might benefit from:
- Arriving 5 minutes early to settle in quietly
- Using noise-reducing headphones during pack-away time
- Having their own visual timetable clipped to their desk
Train Staff To Spot Sensory Triggers
In one local primary school, we worked with staff to identify when students were “checking out”-rubbing their ears, chewing their collars, or starting to rock. These small signs were red flags. Once teachers recognised them, they could redirect students to a quick sensory reset before learning broke down.
Integrating Movement And Sensory Breaks Into Daily Routines
When I reflect on the many children I’ve supported over the years, some of the most powerful shifts came not from big interventions, but from small, consistent changes-like letting a child wheel a crate of books across the room or adding a short stretch break between transitions. Movement isn’t a disruption to learning. For many children, it’s the gateway to it.
Classrooms that integrate regular movement and sensory breaks not only support children with sensory processing differences-they enhance focus, memory, and well-being for all students. The brain needs the body to move in order to function at its best, especially during long periods of sitting or intense cognitive work.
And the good news? This doesn’t require a total overhaul of the timetable.
Structured Breaks To Refocus And Regulate
Children aren’t designed to sit still for six hours a day-and quite frankly, neither are adults. Yet many schools still follow rigid schedules where movement is confined to recess and PE.
In my experience, students-especially those under seven-benefit from short movement breaks every 30 to 45 minutes. But even older children show improved engagement when we break up long lessons with sensory input.
What Does A Sensory Break Look Like?
It can be as simple as:
- Stretching to touch the ceiling and then the floor
- Doing 10 star jumps or wall push-ups
- Crawling like a bear to the door and back
- Marching in place while counting by twos
These can be teacher-led, student-chosen from a visual menu, or integrated into transition routines. No special equipment needed-just a bit of planning.
Try This: A Daily Movement Schedule (K-2 Classroom Example)
| Time | Activity |
| 9:00 | Morning roll & calm sensory input |
| 9:30 | Literacy rotation + 3-min movement break |
| 10:15 | Recess |
| 11:30 | Maths + desk yoga break |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 1:45 | Afternoon story with ‘belly breathing’ |
| 2:30 | Music + whole-class stretch |
Over at a Baulkham Hills primary school, we partner with one Year 1 teacher who has introduced “wiggle tickets” that students can redeem for a short movement break when they feel their body needs a reset. It’s empowering, proactive, and it works.
Heavy Work = Calming Input
One strategy I always recommend to educators is incorporating “heavy work” activities-actions that activate the proprioceptive system and help regulate the nervous system. These can be as simple as:
- Carrying the lunch tubs to the office
- Pushing chairs back in with firm pressure
- Rolling play-dough or squeezing stress balls
- Pulling resistance bands or climbing on playground equipment
Heavy work can be embedded into daily tasks so it feels purposeful, not a “special activity.”
Quick Tip: Give classroom jobs that involve lifting, pushing or pulling to students who fidget or struggle to stay seated. You’ll often see a noticeable improvement in their regulation and readiness to learn.
Encouraging Movement In Learning
One of my biggest shifts as an educator came when I realised learning doesn’t have to be seated to be effective. In fact, the more we engage the body, the more the brain tends to remember.
This is especially true for students who struggle with working memory or attention. Movement acts like a reset button-re-engaging tired minds and helping new information stick.
Ideas For Active Learning Across The Curriculum:
- Literacy: Sight word hopscotch, letter tracing in sand, acting out stories
- Numeracy: Number line jumps, bean bag tosses to solve equations, shape hunts
- Science: Sensory walks to explore textures, roleplay life cycles, mix-and-match movement games
- History/Geography: Timeline walks, mapping with chalk outdoors, acting out historical events
A Year 3 teacher I worked with used to teach vocabulary by taping words to different stations around the room. Students would walk, crawl or balance their way to each word, then use it in a sentence. Not only did engagement soar, but their retention improved, too.
Quick Reference: 4 Easy Sensory Movement Breaks
| Break Type | Activity Example | Duration |
| Proprioceptive | Push against a wall (10 reps) | 2 mins |
| Vestibular | Spin slowly 3 times, stop, breathe | 1 min |
| Tactile | Use textured tools or squeeze a ball | 2 mins |
| Whole-body reset | March on the spot while counting backwards | 3 mins |
Embedding movement and sensory breaks into your day doesn’t need to interrupt your teaching-it supports it. It can be as structured or spontaneous as your class needs, and it fosters a classroom culture that values physical and emotional regulation as part of the learning process.
Using Multi-Sensory Teaching Methods That Stick
Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand that when children engage more than one sense in the learning process, they connect with the content in a much deeper way. It’s not just about reaching “sensory kids”-it’s about reaching all kids. Whether it’s touching, hearing, tasting, seeing, or moving-when more senses are involved, learning becomes more meaningful, and often, more memorable.
This is especially important for students who might not shine in traditional instruction. The beauty of multi-sensory teaching is that it makes abstract ideas concrete-and it brings joy and movement into the classroom.
Making Learning Meaningful With Sensory Input
In a Baulkham Hills classroom I visited recently, a teacher was introducing the concept of place value. Instead of starting with the whiteboard, she brought out handfuls of icy poles (empty wrappers, don’t worry!) bundled into tens and ones. The children grouped, touched, counted, rearranged, and even made towers. One boy who usually drifted off during maths was completely hooked. By the end of the week, he could confidently explain the concept-something he’d previously struggled with.
That’s the magic of sensory learning. It invites students to experience the lesson rather than just hear it.
Ways To Bring Multi-Sensory Learning To Life:
| Sensory Mode | Practical Classroom Strategy |
| Visual | Charts, timelines, story maps, colour-coded steps |
| Auditory | Clapping syllables, rhyming chants, rhythm-based recall |
| Tactile | Sand writing, felt letters, textured number lines |
| Kinaesthetic | Roleplay, hands-on construction, movement-based games |
| Olfactory | Use of gentle scents (e.g. lemon during focus time in science) |
| Gustatory | Taste-safe experiments (e.g. sweet vs sour in health education) |
Not every lesson needs all senses involved, of course. But including even two or three increases engagement and accessibility. All of this helps move the learning from short-term memory into long-term storage-and it’s a whole lot more fun.
Boosting Memory Through Sensory-Rich Activities
It’s not just younger children who benefit from sensory input. Older students, including those in upper primary and even high school, show improved recall and deeper comprehension when they’re actively involved.
Think about how we remember experiences from childhood-not the worksheet we filled in, but the time we planted seeds, made anzac biscuits, or re-enacted a bushranger tale in the playground. That’s because emotion and sensory input light up more of the brain.
When planning lessons, ask: What can students touch, move, hear or see in action?
Here’s a quick guide:
| Topic | Sensory Strategy |
| Life cycles | Use real caterpillars, egg models, or photos from local parks |
| Fractions | Slice apples, pizzas, or use paper plates |
| Mapping | Create 3D models with blocks or recycled materials |
| History | Use costumes, artefact boxes, or soundscapes |
| Poetry | Read aloud with rhythm, background music, or props |
In one case, a Year 4 teacher in our community used a virtual “time machine” (just a cardboard box and sound effects!) to teach about the First Fleet. The class “travelled back” in time, smelled ship biscuits, heard waves and creaking wood, and wrote diary entries from the perspective of convicts. The writing quality and historical understanding far exceeded expectations.
Supporting sensory development in schools isn’t just about making accommodations-it’s about giving every child the foundation they need to thrive. Over my years in early education, I’ve seen how simple shifts-like offering flexible seating or adding a five-minute movement break-can completely change a child’s day.
Academic achievement isn’t only about what’s on the page. It starts with how a child feels in their body, in their space, and in their relationships. When schools take the time to create sensory-aware environments and adopt practical, whole-child strategies, learning becomes more accessible, more engaging, and more lasting.
Let’s create classrooms where all children can feel calm, connected, and ready to learn-because every child deserves that chance.