Page 8 - Unit 5 Brain Needs: Understanding Physical Needs & Stressors
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This is about educating AND having This is about creating a culture in which This is about our bodies feeling good so we
systems to support children in self- children can be autonomous in looking after can be at our best. It includes prevention of
responsibility for managing their their physical well-being & they gain good pain or discomfort (e.g. needing the toilet),
physical well-being. body awareness. good healthcare & a good exercise routine.
▪ Help children learn the importance of ▪ Teach children awareness of their body ▪ Begin each day (and in school, each session),
hydration and the impact on the brain. temperature: with a check on whether everyone’s bodies feel
▪ Get all adults to model good hydration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1G5ssZlV @their best for learning. Children becoming
routines Uw ‘body aware’ is crucial for enabling them to
▪ At home, have water on the table at every ▪ Display thermometers so that children meet their physical needs and reduce triggers.
meal and provide water for your child to can become aware of temperature and ▪ Support children with high vestibular,
take to school. its impact on their body. proprioceptive and tactile sensory issues
▪ Have visual references / reminders on the ▪ When children are young, rather than through equipment (e.g. tactile toys, sensory
wall to help children remember to hydrate. sorting coats, scarves, gloves etc. for them, ask cushions, weighted blankets & bouncy bands
▪ For schools: them to think about the clothing they might for chairs) & extra opportunities for movement
✓ Make water bottles part of the school
equipment list need for the day. (see full list in resource section).
✓ Have a school wide consistent routine in ▪ For schools: ▪ Embed daily exercise as part of daily structures
every classroom for the emptying and re- ✓ Have a school policy where children can remove – daily run, morning aerobics, evening cycle.
filling of water bottles. or put on their jumpers when they feel the need. Plan for how exercise can continue in bad
✓ Make it a school policy that children can ✓ At breaktimes, promote children’s choice and weather. In schools, cycle tracks have been
drink water at any time – ensure systems autonomy on how to dress appropriately for successful.
in the classroom make this possible and them to feel comfortable (rather than having a ▪ In schools, ensure systems for the toilet
easy for children. Encourage them to take blanket policy for all). develop autonomy and independence – if
responsibility for hydrating and be ✓ Develop a culture in which every child has a children want to be in toilets rather than
independent. 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.
