Sensory Regulation | EYFS

EYFS definition

Sensory regulation describes responding to and managing sensory experiences in ways that support comfort, alertness and participation. In the EYFS, this can involve children and supportive adults adjusting activities or surroundings when sensations feel overwhelming, insufficient or difficult to manage.

What sensory experiences are involved?

Sensory experiences include sound, light, touch, taste and smell, as well as movement, body position and signals from inside the body. Children may seek some sensations and avoid others.

Responses can vary with the setting, tiredness and other needs. The same experience may feel different on another day.

What might it look like in practice?

A child finds a busy area uncomfortable and chooses a quieter place with a familiar adult. Another child benefits from an opportunity to move between shared activities.

Adults might adjust background noise, offer a different material or provide a choice of where to join in, observing how the child responds.

How is support decided?

Sensory regulation overlaps with emotional regulation, but focuses particularly on sensory experience. It does not mean every child needs to sit still or become quiet.

Children’s responses and family knowledge help identify useful adjustments. Persistent difficulties affecting everyday participation may call for further professional advice. A sensory preference alone does not establish a diagnosis or prescribe one activity for everyone.

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