Wellbeing

Free paediatric first aid sessions in Cheltenham

Kidsafe Victoria in collaboration with our first aid provider, Emergcare, is delivering free paediatric first aid sessions for parents and carers in Cheltenham. The first session starts next week, with spots still available to attend!

These practical, 3-hour sessions will provide parents, carers, grandparents and community members with essential skills and knowledge to respond to common childhood emergencies, including infant and child CPR, choking, drowning, burns, anaphylaxis, asthma, poisoning and child injury hazards.

We are hoping you may be able to share this opportunity with the families and carers you are engaged with who may benefit from attending. 

Upcoming sessions in Cheltenham:

• Tuesday 27 October 2026, 10.00am - 1.00pm
  Bayside Church (Auditorium 3)
  99-101 Argus St, Cheltenham VIC 3192
  Book
   
• Tuesday 17 November 2026, 10.00am - 1.00pm
  Bayside Church (Auditorium 3)
  99-101 Argus St, Cheltenham VIC 3192
  Book
   
• Monday 30 November 2026, 6.00pm - 9.00pm
  Bayside Church (Auditorium 3)
  99-101 Argus St, Cheltenham VIC 3192
  Book

Further information about the sessions is also available in our FAQ document.

These sessions have been made possible through the Suburban Rail Loop Community Projects Fund so they are free for local parents and carers.

Inner body awareness (interoception) and Self-Regulation

Our bodies constantly send us signals through physical changes like our heartbeat speeding up or slowing down, our muscles tightening, or our breathing shifting. These signals help us understand how we are feeling, whether it’s happy, anxious, hungry, or hot. The ability to notice and interpret these internal cues is called interoception. Developing strong interoceptive awareness helps children recognise when big emotions are building, giving them the chance to regulate before those feelings become overwhelming.

Resources below are designed to support children in building their interoception skills. Research has shown these activities to be effective for both autistic and non-autistic students.

What Are Interoception Activities?

Interoception activities are simple, mindful exercises that help children tune in to their body’s internal signals. The simplest activities involve gently moving parts of the body, such as the hands and feet, while mindfully noticing sensations like stretching or tension.

Each activity takes just 1–2 minutes to complete. For best results, they should be repeated 2–3 times a day over a period of at least 8 weeks.

What Are the Benefits?

Engaging in mindfulness and building interoceptive awareness can help children and young people to:

• Self-regulate their emotions and feelings
• Stay calm and engage effectively with learning
• Develop positive wellbeing
• Improve academic performance

10 Interoceptive activities

1. Hand Stretch Awareness: Gently stretch your fingers wide apart, then slowly relax them. Notice how your hands feel—warm, tingly, tight, or relaxed.
2. Belly Breathing: Place one hand on your stomach and take slow, deep breaths. Feel your belly rise and fall with each breath.
3. Heartbeat Check: After light movement (like jumping or jogging in place), place your hand on your chest and notice how fast your heart is beating.
4. Body Scan: Sit or lie still and mentally scan your body from head to toe, noticing any sensations such as tension, warmth, or calmness.
5. Temperature Awareness: Hold a cool object (like a metal spoon) and then a warm one (like a cup of tea). Notice how the temperature feels on your skin.
6. Mindful Sipping: Take a slow sip of water and pay attention to how it feels moving from your mouth, down your throat, and into your stomach.
7. Muscle Squeeze and Release: Gently squeeze your fists or tense your shoulders for a few seconds, then relax. Notice the difference between tension and release.
8. Heartbeat Hunt: Try to find your pulse in your wrist, neck, or chest. Feel the rhythm and count a few beats.
9. Mindful Movement: Slowly raise and lower your arms, paying attention to how your muscles move and stretch.
10. Emotion Check-In: Pause and notice what’s happening inside—Is your heart racing? Are your shoulders tense? Are you breathing quickly or slowly? Connect these sensations with how you might be feeling (e.g., excited, calm, nervous).

Social Skills Program

Shelby Turner

Learning Diversity and Student Wellbeing Leader