Mental Health & Wellbeing 

Understanding Interoception at Our School

Interoception is a vital skill for self-management and self-regulation. It helps us understand and control our emotional reactions by tuning into the internal physical and emotional states of our bodies.

What is Interoception? Interoception is like an internal sensory system that helps us notice, recognise, identify, and respond to what's happening inside our bodies. For example, it helps us know when we need to use the toilet or when we’re starting to feel angry or upset, allowing us to manage our emotions proactively.

Why is Interoception Important? Children with strong interoception skills can balance logic and emotions to respond effectively to their surroundings. Without these skills, they might find it challenging to manage their emotions and social interactions, making everyday situations more difficult to handle. This can lead to feelings of overload, anxiety, or even meltdowns.

Benefits of Teaching Interoception:

1. Body and Emotion Awareness: Helps children connect with and understand their bodies and emotions.
2. Sense of Belonging: Encourages meaningful social interactions rather than just following social rules.

At our school, we incorporate interoception activities to help children develop these essential skills. By focusing on interoception, we aim to create a supportive environment where every child can thrive emotionally and socially.

Here’s an activity you might like to try at home!

Infinity Breathing

Start by sitting in a chair. With your index finger, start to trace an infinity symbol on your table. Start in the middle, go up to the left and trace the left part of the infinity symbol while breathing in through your nose. When you get back to the middle of the 8 again, breathe out through your mouth while you trace the right part of your infinity symbol. 

Where did you feel it in your body? 

We are going to repeat the activity again, but this time we are going to focus on our breathing in through our nose and out through our mouth. 

What change did you notice in your body after focusing on your breathing?

Jump Back Up July - Let's find ways to bounce back!

Action for Happiness Calendar

In the holidays, a new action calendar will be released for July, packed with daily ideas for happier living. 

In July, let’s find ways to bounce back!