Self-regulation at school: Sensory nature boxes

RHS School Resource
Pupils support self-regulation by collecting and exploring natural textures, scents and colours.

By The RHS School Team

Make a sensory box

Quick facts

Learning objectives:

To explore which natural materials may help individual children to self-regulate

1

PSHE: Encourages self-regulation, mindfulness and emotional wellbeing through nature-based activities

2

Key vocabulary

Nature | Box | Sensory | Touch | Smell | Texture | Explore | Collect

Symbolised guide

Use this symbol-based guide to support understanding:
Download Widgit guide (132kB)

Preparation and equipment

Preparation

Ask pupils to bring in a box (e.g. an old shoebox) to transform into a sensory nature box. Consider the time of year and the range of natural materials available in your outdoor space; you may wish to supplement what’s on offer by collecting items from elsewhere ahead of time.

Equipment

  • Boxes (one per pupil)
  • Natural materials collected from an outdoor space
  • Tissue paper or material for lining (optional)
  • Art materials for decoration (optional)

Step by step

  1. Establish the purpose of a sensory box: it contains things that can help someone to maintain a sense of feeling grounded or relaxed. It can be a useful tool to help self-regulate and pre-emptively manage ‘big emotions’
  2. Explain that everyone will fill their own box with natural objects of their choice collected outside
  3. Take pupils outside. You may wish to start by carrying out a calming mindfulness activity to promote an increased sense of connection to the space and help pupils to associate nature with feelings of calm
  4. Pupils explore the outdoor space and gather items they would like to include in their sensory box. Encourage them to look for a variety of sizes, textures and colours to mimic nature’s own variety. They could gather items such as sticks, stones, moss, leaves, seeds, feathers or pinecones
  5. Give the pupils a chance to talk about the items they have chosen and why, either with the group or 1:1 with a trusted friend or adult
  6. Pupils may wish to decorate their sensory box or line its inside with tissue paper or a piece of material
  7. Pupils place all their chosen items inside their sensory box and put the box in an accessible location so they can access it independently
  8. Ask pupils to reflect on times that they think their sensory box may be useful to them

Hints and tips

  • Encourage pupils to include items that appeal to a range of senses (e.g. something that feels interesting to touch, something that has an appealing smell, or something that reminds them of a happy feeling or memory)
  • Include pupils’ drawings made in an outdoor space, a note they have written to themselves, or photographs of them and their family or friends in an outdoor space

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