How Can I Encourage Sensory Recognition?

Julie Kurtz, MS

September 17, 2021

Question

How can I encourage sensory recognition?

Answer

One way we can encourage sensory recognition is to tune children into their body sensations. You might notice a child's face is all scrunched up, their fists are clenched, or they are rubbing their eyes. When my children were young, my partner sometimes wouldn't read those clues so he would keep wrestling with them or playing with them. Then they would go over the top of being overstimulated.

Sometimes it's really important to read the physiological clues because that's all we're getting. But we can help tune children in by saying it looks like your body may be tired. When that happened to you, I saw you holding your stomach. I'm wondering if it feels like a volcano or bumblebees in your stomach. Help them pay attention.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Preventing Challenging Behaviors, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association, presented by Julie Kurtz, MS.

Related Courses

Preventing Challenging Behaviors, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association

Presented by Julie Kurtz, MS

Presenter

Julie Kurtz, MS

Course: #31639Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Supporting children's social and emotional development1 Hour

'Easy to understand and the handout are so helpfull' Read Reviews

View CEUs/Hours Offered

Young children often have challenging and dysregulated behaviors. Learn how to teach them strategies and skills to navigate the daily emotions and problems they face, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association's Training West.

Course Details

Growing Human(E) Beings - A Job of Superheroes!, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association

Presented by Julie Kurtz, MS

Presenter

Julie Kurtz, MS

Course: #31641Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Supporting children's social and emotional development1 Hour

'It's important we know and understand the mindset of our students and how to appropriately help them' Read Reviews

View CEUs/Hours Offered

Learn the difference between challenging behavior and trauma triggers. Review approaches to understand trauma and its impact on young children’s brains, behavior, learning, and development, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association's Training West.

Course Details

Early Childhood Leaders Managing the Stress of Working in Response to COVID-19, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association

Presented by LaWanda Wesley, EdD, Julie Nicholson, PhD, Julie Kurtz, MS

Presenters

LaWanda Wesley, EdDJulie Nicholson, PhDJulie Kurtz, MS

Course: #31783Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Maintaining a commitment to professionalism1 Hour

'Ability to complete it when I was able to, on my time' Read Reviews

View CEUs/Hours Offered

Learn to manage your own stress response to the uncertain climate created by COVID-19 and identify concrete practical strategies to buffer stress and build resilience, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association’s Training West.

Course Details

Emergency Response Strategies to Support Young Children and Families during COVID-19, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association

Presented by LaWanda Wesley, EdD, Julie Nicholson, PhD, Julie Kurtz, MS

Presenters

LaWanda Wesley, EdDJulie Nicholson, PhDJulie Kurtz, MS

Course: #31785Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Building productive relationships with families1 Hour

'a lot of details' Read Reviews

View CEUs/Hours Offered

Learn concrete practical strategies to support young children and families impacted by the stress and effects of social distancing resulting from COVID-19, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association’s Training West.

Course Details

Supporting Young Children through Change, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association

Presented by Julie Kurtz, MS

Presenter

Julie Kurtz, MS

Course: #31843Level: IntroductorySubject Area: Supporting children's social and emotional development1 Hour

'Lots of great resources!' Read Reviews

View CEUs/Hours Offered

Learn concrete strategies to support young children faced with BIG life transitions such as returning from break, extended absences (fire, COVID-19, tornado, flood), or starting school, in partnership with Region 9 Head Start Association’s Training West.

Course Details