Interoception is an important sensory system that helps us to feel internal body signals like a full bladder, growling stomach, tense muscles or speeding heart. Research indicates that our ability to notice and interpret these internal body signals enables us to identify and manage our feelings: Are we Anxious? Getting Frustrated? Hungry? Needing the bathroom?

If we have difficulty interpreting these internal signals, it can significantly impact how we regulate, learn, and feel our emotions.

Interoception knowledge is important for everyone for several reasons.

1. Emotional Regulation: Interoception helps children understand and regulate their emotions. Children can better recognise and label their feelings by being aware of their internal sensations, allowing them to respond to their emotions healthily and adaptively. This skill promotes emotional self-regulation, reducing the likelihood of impulsive or reactive behaviours.
2. Self-Care: Interoception plays a crucial role in self-care activities. It helps children recognise bodily cues related to hunger, thirst, fatigue, and discomfort. By being attuned to these internal signals, children can appropriately address their needs, such as eating when hungry, resting when tired, or seeking medical attention when they feel unwell.
3. Sensory Processing: Interoception interacts with other sensory systems and influences sensory processing. Children who are more aware of their interoceptive sensations can better understand how their body responds to sensory input, making it easier to manage sensory experiences. This is particularly relevant for children with sensory processing difficulties or conditions such as autism spectrum disorder.
4. Body Awareness and Safety: Interoception helps children develop strong body awareness. Children can recognise potential dangers or warning signs by perceiving and interpreting internal bodily sensations, such as pain, discomfort, breathing, or heart rate changes. This awareness promotes physical safety and encourages children to seek help or take appropriate action when necessary.
5. Mind-Body Connection: Understanding the mind-body connection is crucial for overall well-being. Interoception allows children to recognise how their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours can impact their bodily sensations and vice versa. This awareness promotes a holistic understanding of themselves and fosters a sense of self-empowerment and self-care.

Educating children about Interoception and providing them with tools and strategies to enhance their interoceptive awareness can support their emotional development, self-regulation skills, and overall well-being. It can also contribute to their ability to effectively navigate and adapt to different environments and social situations.