Enhancing Interoception in Early Childhood. Interoception, the ability to perceive and understand internal bodily sensations, plays a crucial role in successful toileting behaviors. This article explores evidence-based activities and strategies to enhance interoceptive awareness in young children, particularly in relation to toileting skills.
The Importance of Interoception in Toileting
Research has shown that interoceptive awareness is fundamental to successful toileting. Mahler (2019) emphasized that children with poor interoceptive awareness may struggle to recognize when they need to use the toilet, potentially leading to difficulties in toilet training and accidents[4]. Ochsenbein (2020) further highlighted the importance of addressing interoception in children with toileting issues, noting that many professionals may not be aware of this sensory system’s role in toileting behaviors[4].
Evidence-Based Activities to Enhance Interoception
1. Yoga and Mindfulness
Yoga and mindfulness exercises have been found to be effective in enhancing body awareness and interoceptive sensitivity in children[3]. These activities encourage children to slow down, pay attention to the present, and focus on how their body is feeling. Cosmic Kids Yoga on YouTube and Kids’ Yoga Stories are recommended resources for implementing yoga activities[3].
2. Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises can help children become more aware of their internal bodily sensations. The “Smelling a flower” (for breathing in) and “Blowing out the candle” (for breathing out) technique is particularly effective for young children[3]. Additionally, figure-8 breathing activities can be beneficial in developing interoceptive awareness[3].
3. Temperature Activities
Children who struggle with interoceptive input often have difficulty with temperature regulation. Exploring hot and cold sensations can help children develop a better understanding of their body’s temperature regulation, which is closely linked to interoceptive awareness[3]. Activities such as creating seasonal dress-up busy bags can be an engaging way to discuss temperature and appropriate clothing choices[3].
4. Emotion Recognition Activities
Developing emotional awareness is closely tied to interoceptive skills. Activities that help children identify and express emotions can support interoceptive development. The emotions clothespin activity is an example of a tool that can be used to discuss and track how different emotions feel physically[3].
5. Heavy Work Activities
Activities involving large muscle groups, known as heavy work activities, activate proprioceptive receptors and contribute to body awareness, which is a significant component of interoception[3]. These activities can include tasks such as carrying heavy objects, pushing or pulling weighted items, or engaging in wall push-ups.
6. Interoception-Specific Activities
Goodall (2021) found that regular implementation of interoception activities over 8-10 weeks led to improved self-regulation, decreased challenging behaviors, and increased prosocial behaviors[2]. Some specific interoception activities include:
- Muscle awareness exercises (e.g., wall squats, core muscle activities, stretches)
- Body part focus activities (e.g., noticing sensations in hands, feet, or other specific areas)
- Repetitive activities with guided focus on different bodily sensations[2]
Implementing Interoception Activities
To effectively implement interoception activities:
- Introduce activities as whole-class strategies to avoid singling out individual students[2].
- Conduct short sessions (2-3 per day) covering one or two activities at a time[2].
- Repeat each activity, guiding students to focus on specific sensations during the second repetition[2].
- Incorporate sessions after transitions or when students require refocusing[2].
Conclusion
Enhancing interoceptive awareness through targeted activities can significantly improve toileting skills in young children. By implementing these evidence-based strategies, caregivers and educators can support children in developing the foundational skills necessary for successful toilet training and independent toileting. As research in this area continues to grow, it is crucial to stay informed about new developments and adapt interventions accordingly.
Citations:
[1] https://www.education.sa.gov.au/docs/support-and-inclusion/engagement-and-wellbeing/ready-to-learn-interoception-kit.pdf
[2] https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/media/erkfigg4/swh_getreadytolearn_selfregulationresource-2023.pdf
[3] https://www.growinghandsonkids.com/10-interoception-activities-and-strategies-for-kids.html
[4] https://sensoryhealth.org/node/1073
[5] https://www.kelly-mahler.com/resources/blog/toileting-interoception/
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