Interoception in the Classroom: Insights for Teachers

Have you ever had a student say they didn’t realize they needed the bathroom until it was almost too late? Or a student that insists they're not hungry even though they haven't eaten all day? These situations might be linked to something called interoception, our body’s ability to sense what’s going on inside, like feeling hungry, thirsty, tired, or needing a break. Just like we use our eyes to see and our ears to hear, we use interoception to notice and understand our internal body signals. When kids struggle with this hidden sense, it can affect their emotions, behavior, and ability to focus. Learning a little about interoception can help you better understand what your students are feeling—even when they can’t explain it themselves.

Interoception gives us information regarding how are body feels and what it needs for comfort/regulation. Interoceptive awareness is the ability to notice internal body signals (from heart, stomach, lungs, bladder, skin, etc.), connect those body signals to meaning (emotion or body need), and know what to do to regulate with an action that promotes internal comfort. It helps us feel things like:

• when we're hungry or full

• when we need to go to the bathroom

• when our heart is racing

• when we're hot, cold, tired or thirsty

• when we are feeling nervous, excited, or calm.

Occupational Therapist Kelly Mahler explains that interoception is the foundation for emotional regulation, meeting basic body needs, attention regulation, social emotional learning, and mental health.

There is a range of interoceptive awareness from muted to intense. When kids can’t feel or interpret what’s going on inside their bodies or they feel it intensely, it’s harder for them to meet their own needs or explain what’s wrong. This can lead to frustration, behavior challenges, or missed learning opportunities.

Possible Signs of Interoception Challenges in the Classroom

Some students have a hard time noticing or understanding their internal body signals. This can show up in ways like:

• bathroom accidents or waiting too long to ask

• frequent bathroom trips

• can't use self-regulation program in the moment

• high levels of worry over injury/illness

• saying "I don't know" when asked how they feel

• trouble calming down after recess

• getting sleepy in the afternoon

• A child reports frequent unexplained stomachaches or headache, possibly confusing emotional discomfort with physical pain

• A child becomes angry, frustrated, or emotional with no clear cause—possibly because they don’t recognize internal signals like hunger, anxiety, or sensory overload.

Why This Matters

Self-regulation starts with interoceptive awareness. When kids don’t recognize what their body is telling them, it becomes harder for them to:

• Ask for help

• Regulate their emotions

• Stay focused

• Feel safe and calm in their environment

How Teachers Can Help

Collaborating with an occupational therapist (OT), especially one trained in interoception, can provide valuable insights into how a student’s internal sensory processing might be affecting their behavior and learning. OTs can help identify students who may be struggling and offer guidance tailored to their needs. Don't have access to an amazing OT, learning more about interoception, through professional development, reading, or conversations with support staff, can empower teachers to better understand what's going on beneath the surface. The more we learn about this hidden sense, the more equipped we are to support the whole child, both academically and emotionally.

Great Places to Learn More

1. Kelly Mahler's website is an amazing resource for teachers and parents.

2. STAR Institute's YouTube video explaining interoception.

3. YouTube video explaining interoception to kids