Self-regulation and sensory needs in young children — ROE #33 First Five workshop

Ashley Hinkle and Lisa Medina-Foshay, preschool family educators with the Regional Office of Education #33 Early Childhood Program, joined Galesburg's Morning News on Friday, March 13, to talk about self-regulation in young children — and to invite families to a free sensory workshop coming up Saturday, March 21. Self-regulation, they explain, is not something children are born with. It's a learned skill — the ability to move out of fight, flight, or freeze mode when emotions or sensory needs become overwhelming. And many behaviors parents label as misbehavior are actually a child's way of communicating unmet sensory needs. Topics covered in this interview What self-regulation is — and why it has to be taught like any other skill Why behaviors like jumping on furniture or withdrawing are often sensory communication, not misbehavior The nine senses — including proprioception, vestibular, interoception, and pain — and how they affect a child's behavior How the shift toward indoor, sedentary screen time has increased children's unmet sensory needs What the ROE #33 Early Childhood Program offers, from prenatal services through age five What to expect at the third annual First Five sensory workshop on March 21 How families can continue sensory activities at home after the event About the First Five Sensory Workshop The third annual First Five sensory exploration workshop is Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Regional Office of Education #33, 932 Harrison St., Galesburg. The event is free and open to all ages, with a focus on children birth through age five. No registration required. Families can expect 12 interactive stations, take-home resources, fidget bags, breathing tools, snacks, and conversations with ROE #33 behavioral health staff about what each activity is designed to address. For more information, follow ROE #33 on Facebook or visit roe33.net.