Kids First’s practitioners have long supported the use of sensory exploration. In exploring the senses, we can uncover ways for children, young people and caregivers to feel safe with one another and to create new communication opportunities to strengthen their attachment.

A purpose built Sensory Room at our Heidelberg Child & Family Centre features weighted items, lighting, music, a projector, kinetic sand, an ‘Egg’ chair and other items that are proven to regulate emotions, create calm or evoke a sense of playful exploration – depending on the sensory preferences of clients.

Seventy-five per cent of sessions in the Sensory Room are with young clients in our Sexual Abuse Counselling and Prevention Program (SACAPP). Research notes the clinical importance of
addressing the body to facilitate integration of sensory and emotional awareness in sexual abuse recovery.

When COVID-19 restrictions came into place in March 2020, the Sensory Room was temporarily closed to clients. We didn’t want to lose the momentum we had created with them, so, we assembled a small number of take home sensory kits to send to their homes. And we produced a specialist training session on using the items so that families could continue to use sensory methods through video appointments. The kits included a stress ball, battery operated candle, heat pack and puzzle pens.

Feedback about the kits has been overwhelmingly positive. Not only do the items support sensory exploration that complements therapeutic recovery, but the young clients have also expressed their happiness in receiving a special gift that made them feel valued. 

We don't have funding to give all of our young clients a Sensory kit, so we're calling on our community to help us with this.