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NDIS Approved Provider | Trusted by 200+industry professionals | 25 years of expert knowledge & Experience
Following school pickup, many children experience the challenge of extreme exhaustion OR intense hyperactivity - especially at the start of the year or each new term (or even week).
If parents are able to support their child with effective strategies, the disregulation is more likley to avoid hitting meltdown point.
There are a number of strategies that can play a valuable role in helping children regulate their emotions and bodies. Hydrating effectively, implementing breath control techniques, following routines and incorporating sensory strategies - each can contribute in a positive way.
We delve into some practical tactics that you can implement to ease the transition from school to home and help your child find balance and calmness after a long day of learning, sensory input and social interactions.
For those who are exhausted, ensure the water bottle gives easy access. We don’t want to create any extra “work” over and above what is necessary. For example, drink straight from a cup or use a wide diameter straw or use a squeeze bottle (so the action of sucking, sipping or drinking is minimal effort).
For those who are overly hyperactive, try a water bottle thatdoesrequire extra “work”. For example, a narrow straw or a “curly” straw (as they require extra oral work).
For those who are emotionally or physically exhausted, maintaining a gentle predictable low-demand routine removes any extra anxiety or fear around “what am I doing now?” or “what am I doing next?”.
For those who are hyperactive, maintaining a predictable routine creates a sense of calm and doesn't add any extra fuel to their fire.
Deep belly breaths (in through the nose for a count of 4 and gently out through the mouth (visual blowing up a balloon) supports both the hyperactive and the exhausted child. Discuss with your child a visualisation that they find helpful.
Sensory strategies play a crucial role in helping children regulate their emotions and energy levels after a busy day at school. The strategies you might use if your child is exhausted will likely be different to the strategies you would use if your child is hyperactive. Some strategies might be offered in both contexts, but the timing could be different. For example, for a hyperactive child, the Pea Pod would be offered after plenty of vestibular movement and heavy work.
From noise reduction ear muffs to trampolines, sunglasses to crash mats, each tool offers a unique way to either calm or stimulate the sensory systems.
Kirstie Wishart M.Ed (Special Education).
Owner and founder of The Starfish Store. Kirstie’s professional life has included: teaching (in both public and private schools in Australia, New Zealand and Thailand), lecturer and subject coordinator at the University of Wollongong, Educational consultant (working with children and young people with a trauma background), OoHC Case Work Manager, and Specialist Tutor (working with children and young people with significant learning difficulties and/or disabilities).
40 Proprioceptive activities for the classroom. Simple and practical activities to incorporate Proprioceptive into the classroom. 16 A4 sheets to print for your classroom, therapy space or home.
Not all Lycra is created equal, and when it comes to sensory tools, quality matters. Premium Lycra takes sensory support to the next level, offering superior comfort, durability, and unmatched benefits for children with sensory needs and learning challenges.
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Looking to boost hand strength, improve dexterity, or find a calming sensory tool? Therapy putty is a versatile solution that can help with all of these, and so much more!
In our latest blog, we dive into the many benefits of therapy putty, plus share 20 creative and easy ways to use it for strengthening and stress relief! Perfect for...
Understanding phonics is essential for helping children learn to read and spell effectively. Our latest blog dives into the versatile letter 'y' and its four distinct sounds, offering practical strategies and tips for mastering these phonics rules step by step.
With easy-to-follow explanations and engaging techniques, you'll find that learning and teaching phonics can be both fun and rewarding. Join...
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Perfect for sensory integration therapy, these ideas provide deep pressure input, helping individuals feel more grounded and centred. Whether you're a parent or a therapist, our guide...
Even though we know games are valuable, sometimes we simply run out of time in our sessions.
Games are a simple yet effective way to end on a positive note and a great opportunity to strengthen bonds with your students, all while learning!
If you find yourself with only a few minutes left to fit a fun game in,...
Dive into the world of early literacy instruction with our latest blog post featuring Coko Educational Bricks! Follow Kirstie as she uncovers the innovative methods that are transforming the way we teach and learn language and literacy.
Click here to explore the full story and unlock the potential of Coko Educational Bricks.
Navigating the challenges of post-school meltdowns and hyperactivity is a common concern for parents. However, with the right strategies, we can support our child's emotional regulation and well-being. From routines to sensory techniques, each tactic contributes to creating a supportive environment for your child.
Join us as we explore practical solutions to ease the transition from school to home,...
When it comes to early start NDIS plans, you may find that not all children are allocated funding under the CORE category. The shift in funding allocation has left many families in a predicament, as they struggle to secure the necessary resources to support their children.
However, there is hope. You might be able to request an allocation...
Developing good handwriting is a valuable and practical skill. When you can write effortlessly, your work becomes legible and efficient, enabling you to focus on the content rather than the physical act of writing.
However, for left-handed students, achieving mastery in handwriting can be more challenging.
In this blog post, we'll showcase the top tips for...
Confusing the letters b and d is a common issue for many learners. Whether it is mixing up b’s and d’s in reading or writing, or both, as parents and educators, it is important to address this early.
In this blog, Kirstie explains 'why' it is important and lists the strategies that she uses to help learners master their b’s and d’s in the Starfish tutoring...
In early childhood education, teaching the alphabet is a fundamental skill that lays the foundation for reading and writing.
However, the order in which the letters are taught can greatly impact a child's learning progress.
In this blog, we will explore the importance of teaching the alphabet in a particular order, provide practical tips on how...
Flashcards are a versatile and effective tool for teaching phonics. They are a simple and engaging way to introduce and reinforce letter sounds and word recognition skills.
In this blog, we will explore the benefits of using flashcards for phonics learning and provide practical tips for making the most of this valuable teaching tool.
As parents and teachers, we understand the importance of fostering early development in our little ones. Games are not only a fun activity, but they provide numerous developmental benefits.
From improving social skills to enhancing cognitive abilities, games offer a well-rounded learning experience for children.
Join Kirstie (M.Ed Special Education) as she talks you through some her top...
Learning to tell the time is an important life skill and it is a good way to promote self esteem & confidence. Many children struggle learning to tell the time, especially on an analogue clock. That doesn’t have to be the case, though.
You can make the process fun and easy by sticking to these three easy steps!
There are very few things (if any) more important for a child’s development than sleep. Sleep is essential for growth, brain health and overall wellbeing.
Poor sleep, or lack of sleep entirely, can be one of the biggest contributors leading to a child under achieving or struggling to reach their educational goals and developmental milestones.
So what can we do?
Ever heard of the term 'Sensory Safe Space'? If you haven't, we're here to shed some light on
what we believe can be a life line for those with sensory disorders.
Find out what we mean by 'sensory safe' and how we can prepare to host someone with sensory challenges.
Whether we like it or not, screens are here to stay. Technology is vital for staying connected, but what we can do is learn to manage screen time responsibly.
Games are an ideal solution. There are so many great, screen-free games to keep children entertained that are just as easy to pop in the bag or car, here's some of our...
Face masks. A hot topic. And one that could be with us for some time yet. These are strange times for us as adults. Imagine what it is like for our children. We are all trying to find ways to live and function in what is the 'new normal'.
Here at Starfish, we often say synthetic phonics is the bread & butter of our reading program.
Phonics is the Bread, blending is the Butter.
Lycra Tunnels. We love them. With these fantastic sensory tools being the featured product of the month, we figured what better time to share some ideas with you on the best ways to make use of these stretchy tubes of fun!
