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Sensory Regulation in Schools

Blog
The YPO Team
09 Nov 2026

Sensory regulation in schools: practical classroom strategies and activities

In a classroom, the aim is to get children feeling ready to learn.

That’s where sensory regulation comes in - helping children respond to sensory tasks through touch, movement and body awareness, so they feel comfortable, safe and calm in their environment.

There are many ways to encourage sensory regulation in the classroom, through classroom sensory strategies and sensory regulation activities.

To find out more, we sat down with Jenny Martin, Occupational Therapist and Director of Butterflies Holistic Occupational Therapy, to hear how sensory resources that support regulation can be used within education settings.

Q: Hi Jenny, can you tell us about what you do?

A: I’m the Director of Butterflies Holistic Occupational Therapy, based in Leeds, and I’m also an Occupational Therapist there. I started it seven years ago after having worked in the NHS. It’s a beautiful space with therapy rooms, a yoga space and the sensory gym where we carry out sensory regulation activities. At Butterflies Holistic Occupational Therapy, we use equipment such as soft build sets, slides, steps, sensory objects and foam barrels to support movement, body awareness, balance, coordination, confidence and imagination.

Q: Your space is all about sensory regulation. What’s a good way to introduce sensory regulation in the classroom?

A: One of my favourite sensory regulation activities is to ask children to create something with big soft build sets like this Soft Play Set. It’s great as each piece promotes creativity, physical development and shape and colour recognition. If a child is struggling to do this and needs a bit of support, I’ll suggest building a tower and seeing what that looks like.

Q: Any sensory regulation strategies the whole class can get involved in?

A: Yes, if you’re looking for classroom sensory strategies, you could introduce a Calm Box, accessible to all pupils at all times. This is a great example of inclusivity in a classroom setting, as anyone can go and get a sensory object at any time. Teachers can encourage children to use the objects to get in a good space with their regulation or get them into their window of tolerance before an activity starts.

Q: Any sensory circuit and movement break top picks?

A: I love sensory circle sets like the tickit SiliShapes Sensory Circle Set for sensory regulation breaks. These kinds of sets are really helpful for developing tactile discrimination, which refers to being aware of where you are while touching things. For example, if I have my eyes shut, having tactile discrimination would still allow me to put my seatbelt on or I'd be able to find things in my backpack without looking.

Q: How can we use these sensory circles in a classroom?

A: I’d recommend setting them up, either on the floor or in some water for water play. Ask children to take their socks off and explore how they feel to move around on. You could encourage children to use their imagination when feeling it, by asking ‘Can you tell me what this pattern feels like?’ or ‘What does this remind you of?’.

Q: How does using your imagination come into sensory play?

A: We use objects like the Foam Barrel in our studio for sensory regulation, as it helps to develop children’s confidence and imagination, as well as their sensory processing, body awareness, balance and movement abilities. Using our imagination with it helps us create another world, so it can be turned into a shop, rocket, zoo, playground or circus - there are so many possibilities. This helps children engage in different ways with similar equipment, which has an impact on their functional everyday activities.

Q: What’s your advice to SENCO teachers who want to make their environment more sensory-friendly?

A: If you’re a SENCO looking for sensory regulation equipment, have a look at your pupil profile, what’s been recommended for your students and whether they have any sensory passports. I always recommend YPO to my clients as they specialise in sensory equipment, resources and objects for nurseries, schools and SEN environments.

Ready to adapt your classroom for your pupil’s sensory needs? Browse YPO’s full range of Sensory Equipment designed to aid regulation, focus and inclusive learning.

Author

The YPO Team

YPO supplies products and services to a wide range of customers including schools, local authorities, charities, emergency services, public sector and other businesses such as nurseries and care homes. YPO are 100% publicly owned, by 13 local authorities, which means the profits made are returned to public sector customers, delivering even better value for money.