Classroom Strategies for Emotion Regulation
Classroom strategies for emotion regulation need to be easy to implement. Typical teachers are juggling multiple things at once and do not have time for complicated or time-consuming strategies. Every classroom has a diverse group of people in it. This can include the main teacher, an assistant (one or more), specialists who come and go […]
Sensory Diet: Yay or Nay?
“Sensory Diet” is a term that is sometimes thrown around but not always understood. A person who is not familiar with the term may think it involves food. A sensory diet involves a person having optimal sensory input during their day to assist with maintaining self-regulation. Food may be a small part of the sensory […]
Group Activities for Self Regulation
Why use group activities for self regulation skills? Using group activities for self regulation is very powerful. Working in a group of peers tends to increase engagement, provide opportunities to brainstorm ideas, and allow role-playing. Group members can show others the expectations for behavior during the activities through peer modeling. An opportunity to practice strategies […]
Teaching Interoception to Non-Verbal Learners
Why is teaching interoception to non-verbal learners different than verbal learners? Teaching interoception skills to non-verbal learners can be more challenging than teaching verbal learners. Some learners who struggle to communicate verbally may also have difficulty understanding language. They may require more time and practice to make the connections between their body sensations and their […]
Self-Regulation for Teens
Self-Regulation for Teens Self-regulation for teens can look much different than it does for younger kids. Teens generally are dealing with changing hormones as well as emotional changes. How do we approach working with teens? It is important to first establish rapport with the teen. Some teens may have already been through a variety of […]
How To Assess Sensory Processing Skills
Why Assess Sensory Processing Skills? When a child has frequent meltdowns, it may be useful to assess their sensory processing skills. Signs they are having difficulty may include not tolerating noisy environments, eating non-food items, or closing eyes when outdoors on a sunny day. When their senses are overloaded it can be difficult to learn. […]
SELF-REGULATION IN THE CLASSROOM
Do your students struggle with self-regulation in the classroom? Picture this: you have the perfect social emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. Your room is decorated with all of the visuals and check-ins. You use the language daily with your students. So why are the students still having difficulties with self-regulation? Why are students having difficulty applying […]
SELF-REGULATION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
Have you been looking for self-regulation books for children? Self-regulation books for children can be a great addition to your teaching toolkit. Reading books together can introduce topics or reinforce topics. Listening to My Body, by Gabi Garcia Listening to My Body by Gabi Garcia is a great introduction to connecting body sensations to emotions. Kids […]
Who is Miss Jenny OT?
Hey everyone! Thanks for checking out my blog. I am an occupational therapist (OT). I graduated from San Jose State University in 1992, with a Bachelor’s degree in OT. I started my career working in a hospital and was able to experience all the different units and types of patients you can imagine there. After […]