Page 10 - S7 I feel comfortable Part 1 Basic Physical Needs Animation
P. 10
Educating and supporting healthy This is about creating a culture in which This is about our bodies feeling good so we
hydration habits children can be autonomous in looking after can be at our best. It includes prevention of
their physical well-being & they gain good pain or discomfort (e.g. needing the toilet),
▪ Help children learn the importance of body awareness. good healthcare & a good exercise routine.
hydration and the impact on the brain.
▪ Get all adults to model good hydration ▪ Teach children awareness of their body ▪ Begin each day (and in school, each session),
routines temperature: with a check on whether everyone’s bodies feel
▪ At home, have water on the table at every https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlV @their best for learning. Children becoming
meal and provide water for your child to Uw ‘body aware’ is crucial for enabling them to
take to school. ▪ Display thermometers so that children meet their physical needs and reduce triggers.
▪ Have visual references / reminders on the can become aware of temperature and ▪ Support children with high vestibular,
wall to help children remember to hydrate. its impact on their body. proprioceptive and tactile sensory issues
▪ For schools: ▪ When children are young, rather than through equipment (e.g. tactile toys, sensory
✓ Make water bottles part of the school sorting coats, scarves, gloves etc. for them, ask cushions, weighted blankets & bouncy bands
equipment list them to think about the clothing they might for chairs) & extra opportunities for movement
✓ Have a school wide consistent routine in
every classroom for the emptying and re- need for the day. (see full list in resource section).
filling of water bottles. ▪ For schools: ▪ Embed daily exercise as part of daily structures
✓ Make it a school policy that children can ✓ Have a school policy where children can remove – daily run, morning aerobics, evening cycle.
drink water at any time – ensure systems or put on their jumpers when they feel the need. Plan for how exercise can continue in bad
in the classroom make this possible and ✓ At breaktimes, promote children’s choice and weather. In schools, cycle tracks have been
easy for children. Encourage them to take autonomy on how to dress appropriately for successful.
responsibility for hydrating and be them to feel comfortable (rather than having a ▪ In schools, ensure systems for the toilet
independent. blanket policy for all). develop autonomy and independence – if
✓ Develop a culture in which every child has a children want to be in toilets rather than
voice and anyone can suggest windows being lessons, look at what is not working for them in
opened or heating turned up or down. the lesson.
