5 minutes read | Written by Dorja Benussi

From early childhood, through the growing process and into adulthood, physical movement and good sensory integration are crucial for development, learning and well-being. Movement plays a very important role in creating a nerve cell network, which can be enhanced within a positive emotional environment, essential to the process of learning.

Sensory integration is a process in which our brain receives and processes sensory information from the environment and our own body. It entails a whole spectrum of processes that serve as building blocks for growth, development and overall learning.

Sensory integration theory was initially developed by Jean Ayres. She was interested in explaining how difficulties with receiving and processing sensory information could relate to a child’s behaviour and their academic capabilities.

How do our sensory systems work?

Different parts of our body (such as skin, eyes & ears) are receiving information from our environment and then transmitting it to our brain. The brain interprets and collates the information it is receiving, as well as comparing this to information stored in our memory, and is able to then use this information to help us respond to our environment. Sensory integration is important in all aspects of life; if it’s good it means we’re well adapted and feel good.

Alongside the five, pronounced senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling and touching) there are three very important senses; proprioception (external awareness), vestibular (spatial orientation) and interoception (internal awareness). Ayres focused on the senses that she saw as the most important for our sense of well-being, concentration, confidence, as well as emotional regulation and academic skills. These are vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual and hearing.

This is why our design approach is developed to support self regulation through vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile senses.

Childrens’ interaction with their environment is directly connected to their growth, learning and sense of self

Kids process and respond to sensory stimuli within an environment differently from each other. It's important to allow them to intuitively move and engage with their surroundings in a way that suits them. Their distinctive reactions in response to what surrounds them are due to how each child integrates the information obtained, through their senses, from the space surrounding them. Creating an environment in which children can thrive requires that we understand them first.

When a child struggles to self-regulate, they act out, and we see behaviours

Each child is different; however, every child's aptitude for learning increases when they feel calm and engage their senses.

A Sensory Processing model (adapted from Dunn, W., 2007) shows us four basic patterns, based on the difference in a child’s neurological threshold (which is the point at which they respond to stimuli) and the way they regulate their emotions and behaviour. Sensory sensitivity can go up and down throughout the day, so children may enjoy totally different environments and activities depending on how they feel. Most kids fit into one of these categories, which can help us secure the environment that’s comfortable and supportive for them.