Understanding Body Signals
Interoception is the body’s internal sense of signals like hunger, thirst, temperature, and the need to use the bathroom. For some children, this internal body awareness sense needs support.
Developing Interoceptive Awareness
Some children may be very in tune with their bodies, they may be very sensitive or very responsive to changes within their body. They might feel full quickly, even if they haven’t eaten enough, or feel the need to use the toilet very frequently.
Some children may not notice, recognise or feel signals from inside their bodies as easily. They may be described as not very responsive to their internal signals. They may not feel hunger until it’s extreme or may continue to eat because they don’t feel full. They might not recognise they need the bathroom until it is too late.
Developing interoceptive awareness is key to supporting these children in understanding and responding to their body’s signals in ways that promote their health and independence. This can be done through consistent, supportive activities that respect their unique sensory needs and encourage body awareness without creating pressure or stress.
Supporting Interoceptive Awareness in Young Children
Model Your Own Body Awareness: Children learn through observation, so regularly describe your own internal sensations. For example, you can say, “I’m feeling hungry. My stomach is growling, and it feels empty,” or, “I need to go to the bathroom. My tummy feels full.” This helps children connect physical sensations with actions in a natural, everyday context.
Use Visual Prompts and Tools: For children who struggle with eating or recognising their hunger/fullness signals, tools like a Snack Board can be helpful. This visual guide shows how many snacks a child can have throughout the day. It reassures children who may feel anxious about food availability while helping them regulate how much they eat. For those who don’t recognise hunger, the board serves as a reminder to eat regularly to maintain energy for daily activities.
For mealtimes, a Dinner Plate Visual can indicate portion sizes and the types of food they should eat. This is particularly useful for children who may not recognise when they’re full or may feel anxious about eating too little. A helpful tip is allowing extra portions of vegetables for those who crave large amounts of food, reducing feelings of restriction.
Create Games Around Feelings and Sensations. To build body awareness in a fun, non-threatening way, create games that focus on describing physical sensations related to emotions. An example would be to ask them how their tummy feels before eating, then asking them to describe how their tummy feels after eating. The adult can also answer these questions too, but be careful not to correct or suggest how the child should feel. The point of the game is to start trying to connect with feelings inside and to notice changes with bodily sensations.
Support Toileting with Social Stories and Visuals. Children who struggle with interoceptive signals around toileting can benefit from social stories that explain the process in a simple, step-by-step way. Use visuals to show when and how to use the toilet. For example, you could set a timer for regular bathroom breaks and explain, “When the timer goes off, it’s time to check if your body needs the toilet.” This helps create a routine for those who may not feel the urge to go until it’s urgent.
There may be children and young people who are sensitive to messages from their body, and so interpret early signs of needing the toilet as an urgency to go. They will then go to the toilet with much greater frequency, and may be anxious about not getting there on time.
Below are some Helpful Toileting Resources from ERIC:
Activities to Build Body Awareness. Engaging children in activities that promote mindfulness can help them tune into their bodies. Yoga, for example, is excellent for encouraging slow, intentional movements and awareness of breathing, heart rate, and muscle tension. After a yoga session or any physical activity like jumping or pushing a wheelbarrow, talk to the child about how their body feels—hot, sweaty, heart beating fast.
Heavy Work Activities. Activities like pushing, pulling, or carrying heavy objects help children build body awareness by highlighting how their muscles feel during and after exertion. After completing a task like sweeping or carrying a heavy shopping bag, talk to them about how their breathing and heart rate change.
Breathing Exercises. Teach children simple breathing exercises. This helps children slow down and pay attention to their body’s signals.
Temperature Exploration. For children who struggle with temperature regulation, allow them to explore hot and cold objects like water bottles filled with cold or warm water. Use dressing-up games to practice putting on coats when it’s cold and taking them off when they feel warm.
The BBC have created some useful resources for exploring temperature and the weather.
Building interoceptive awareness in young children is a gradual process, requiring patience, consistency, and fun! Focus on the child’s strengths, offering them ways to understand and engage with their body’s signals in an affirming, non-pressured environment. By integrating visual tools, mindful practices, and fun activities, we can help children gain more control over their eating habits, toileting routines, and emotional regulation, allowing them to feel more connected to their bodies and empowered in their daily lives.
Other Resources for Interoception:
National Autistic Society Interoception Information.
Read previous: ← Encouraging Variety of Food