Sensory Chew Toys

Oral Sensory Processing Tools

Therapy and sensory toys, tools and aids for babies, kids, children and teens.

Have you ever wondered why babies suck their thumbs? Or why some children suck on their clothing or chew through their pencil tops? Or why some children put non-edible objects in their mouth? Or why chewing crunchy foods helps you to study?

Oral motor skills begin developing before children are even born. Babies are born with the reflexive ability to suck, swallow and breathe. Not only does their mouth form a portal for receiving nutrition, but newborns initially learn and explore their environment through their mouths. Babies suck on dummies or their thumb in order to be soothed and calmed. This can continue for quite some time into childhood.

There is a strong link between chewing and calming/alerting because the nerves activated by chewing connect to both the calming and alerting areas of the brain (calming so that we can 'rest and digest' our food and alerting for regulating our sleep-wake cycle). These nerves also link to area of our brain for emotional regulation (the limbic system) so that's another added connection and another reason why chewing can be calming.

Chewing and sucking can form an important part of a child’s self-regulation of anxiety and arousal/attention levels. So instead of trying to get a child to stop sucking their thumb, or chewing their pencils, we recommend replacing the behaviours with suitable alternatives. We have a wide range of sensory chew toys made from food-grade silicon. Our range of sensory chew toys are designed as chewable necklaces and bracelets, cuffs, pencil toppers, and things to put in pockets like T-bars and chew sticks.

It's important to note that sensory chew toys are almost always not the only solution. They are a useful tool that can be part of an overall programme to support a child.

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