Creating a Sensory Friendly Haven: Nurturing Calm and Comfort at Home  

For our children navigating sensory processing challenges, creating a home environment that understands their unique needs can be a game changer. Imagine a space where they feel inherently safe, calm, and deeply comfortable- a sanctuary that gently reduces anxiety and significantly enhances their overall wellbeing. A sensory-friendly home helps kids feel safe, calm, and comfortable, reducing anxiety and improving their overall well-being. If you are looking for some practical tips and tricks to make your home a haven and more sensory-friendly, let's explore these seven tips together.

1. Tune In: Understanding Your Child's Unique Sensory World

The very first step in creating a sensory-friendly home is to identify your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities. Take a moment to observe how they interact with their surroundings/environment. What triggers discomfort or anxiety? Is it the sudden clang of a pot, the glare of a bright light, a particular scent, or the feel of certain textures? Gaining clarity on these individual sensitivities is like holding up a map - allows you to tailor your home environment with precision and love.

2. Designate a 'Calm Corner' : A Retreat from Overload

Every child, especially one with sensory sensitivities, benefits from a designated safe space. Create a specific area where your child can retreat when they feel overwhelmed or overstimulated. This sanctuary should ideally be quiet, softly lit (natural lighting is a gently choice), and free from clutter. Fill it with comforting elements: plush pillows, beloved cuddly toy, a weighted blanket or a weight toy and potentially some fidget toys. Introduce dimmable lighting options or blackout curtains to control the level of brightness based on their preferences.

3. Grounding Choices: Sensory Friendly Flooring and Wall Colours

The surfaces and colours in our homes play a surprisingly significant role in creating a soothing atmosphere. Soft carpets or memory foam mats can work wonders in reducing ambient noise and providing a more comfortable, forgiving surface for children who are sensitive to textures. When it comes to walls, opt for neutral, calming colours - gentle blues, greens, or soft greys - avoid overly bright or stimulating patterns that can contribute to sensory overload.

4. Empowers with Tools: A sensory Toolkit at Their Fingertips

Equip your home with a selection of sensory tools that your child can access as needed. These may include noise-cancelling headphones or ear defenders to soften overwhelming sounds, essential oil diffusers to provide calming scents like lavender, or a variety of tactile items like stress balls, fidget snakes, sensory play doughs, sensory bins, and visually soothing tools such as lava lamps or bubble tubes.

5. Order and predictability: Implement Organisational Systems

A cluttered and disorganised home can be distressing for children with sensory sensitivities. Establish clear practical storage solutions that promotes a sense of order and predictability. Label boxes, baskets, or shelves to help your child easily locate and retrieve toys, books, or personal belongings. Visual systems like wall calendars or daily schedules can also be incredibly helpful for setting routines and reducing anxiety by making the day's flow clear and understandable.

6. Optimise Lighting

Experiment with different lighting options to find what works best for your child. Natural light is often preferred, but installing dimmer switches allows you to control brightness levels throughout the day. Avoid fluorescent lights that can be harsh and flicker, as they may trigger sensory overload. Consider adding soft, warm-toned lamps or fairy lights to create a cosy ambiance in bedrooms or calming zones.

7. Recharge and Regulate: Plan for Sensory Breaks

Regular, scheduled sensory breaks throughout the day may be invaluable for helping your child to recharge and regulate their senses. Identify activities that help them calm down or refocus, such as swinging, jumping on a trampoline, or engaging in deep pressure activities like squishing playdough or wrapping in a sensory cocoon (weighted blanket). Incorporate these activities into their daily routine as needed.

Creating a sensory-friendly home is a compassionate and proactive way to support children with sensory processing challenges. By truly understanding their unique needs, making some thoughtful adjustments to our living spaces, and providing a safe calming environment, we can empower our children thrive and be themselves. Remember, each child’s sensory profile is unique, so be attentive and adaptable. With a little creativity and empathy, we can transform our homes into safe havens where our children can truly flourish.

Love,

Chelle

Special Education Complex Supports and Family Support Specialist.

Create a sensory friendly home, because we can all do with a little sensory break and regulation.