Page 8 - Unit 7 Understanding Physical Stressors
P. 8

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.
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