A Sensory Emotional Lens

Transitions are a part of every moment — from waking up to heading out the door, from one activity to the next, and from one emotion to another. But while some transitions happen smoothly and almost unnoticed, others can feel like navigating a minefield. In this episode we invite listeners to explore playing through transitions through a sensory-emotional lens. We’ll shed light on what makes transitions so challenging for some children (and adults!) and how sensory processing and emotional regulation come together to shape these experiences. Learn how play can become a powerful bridge — helping children move through change with more connection, confidence, and calm. You’ll discover:What “transitions” really mean in daily life, and why they can feel so hardHow sensory and emotional systems interact during moments of changePlay-based ideas and strategies to support smoother transitions How to reframe daily routines as opportunities for growth and regulationTune in if you’ve ever felt like you’re walking on eggshells during daily routines — this episode will help you breathe a little easier and find playfulness in the in-between moments.Join our community!@TheSensoryEmotional_OT on ⁠Instagram⁠@GreatKidsPlace on ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠Visit our Learning Center We know that sensory-motor experiences play a significant role in a child’s daily life and emotional well-being. Using playful interactions, The Sensory Emotional Center of Learning is designed to bring our therapeutic model, the Sensory Emotional EngageMent Frame of Reference, into your home or work.https://www.sensoryemotionalcenteroflearning.comWant more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/and https://sensoryemotional.org/AboutAnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, CIMI-2Occupational Therapist, Great Kids PlaceCo-Director, Sensory Emotional Engagement ModelAnnMarie is an Occupational Therapist and Assistant Professor at FDU where she teaches mental health, neuroscience, and interprofessional education. She holds a doctoral degree in occupational therapy, specializes in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder, and is a fellow of Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E.Her background also includes a degree in Psychology, supporting her focus on social-emotional development, parent stress, and family dynamics.A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®Founder, Great Kids Place and the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of ReferenceMichele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®, dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding.Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them.Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.

In this week’s episode of A Sensory Emotional Lens, AnnMarie Murphy and OT doctoral student Alexis continue the “Screen with Purpose” series — turning the focus from screens themselves to the children behind them. Every child experiences screens differently. Some turn to them for comfort, some for excitement, and others for connection or escape. Through a sensory emotional lens, we can uncover why screens hold such appeal and learn how to guide our kids toward balance — with playful, meaningful off-screen alternatives that meet their individual sensory and emotional needs. Alexis and AnnMarie walk through five Sensory Emotional Personality (SEP) profiles — from the anxious yet deeply feeling to the scattered yet intentional and passionate — and share practical, connection-based ideas to help parents and caregivers nurture regulation, independence, and creativity in everyday life. Whether it’s creating safe forts, superhero rescue missions, or cooking as activation, these strategies help you connect before you disconnect — strengthening relationships while supporting growth, regulation, and confidence. In this episode, you’ll discover:How to view screen time through a Sensory Emotional LensThe five Sensory Emotional Personalities (SEPs) — and how screens show up differently for eachSimple, low-prep activities that balance screen and off-screen engagementHow to replace “easy” screen time with intentional, regulating alternativesWhy connection, curiosity, and co-regulation are key to balanced routinesThe importance of the “connect before you disconnect” mindset for both parents and kidsJoin our community!@TheSensoryEmotional_OT on ⁠Instagram⁠@GreatKidsPlace on ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠AboutAnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, CIMI-2Occupational Therapist, Great Kids PlaceAnnMarie Murphy is an Occupational Therapist with advanced training and certification from the Sensory Treatment and Research (STAR) Institute, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from American International College and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Temple University.Her background also includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, supporting her focus on the neurobiology of sensory processing and the impacts SPD can have on social-emotional development, parent stress, and family dynamics.Alexis Faria, OTD CandidateAlexis Faria is a doctoral student in Occupational Therapy at Kean University. She first joined the Great Kids Place community during her fieldwork in the spring, where she had the privilege of working closely with Michele and the team while learning the Sensory Emotional Engagement Model. Alexis is now thrilled to return for her doctoral residency project, Screens with Purpose: Fostering Intentional Tech Use to Support Child Development, where she is leading a series on guiding families toward balanced and purposeful screen time.A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®Founder, Great Kids Place and the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of ReferenceMichele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®, dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding.Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them.Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.

Screens are everywhere—classrooms, living rooms, even in our pockets. But what makes them so appealing to our kids? And how can we, as caregivers, better understand the way children experience screen time through their unique sensory and emotional lenses? In this episode, host AnnMarie Murphy is joined by Alexis Faria, doctoral OT student at Kean University, who has spent months researching screen time and its impact on kids. Together, they kick off our 4-part “Screens with Purpose” series by exploring why children are drawn to screens in the first place. You’ll learn:How different Sensory Emotional Personality (SEP) styles influence the way kids experience screensWhy anxious yet deeply feeling kids may seek predictability and comfort in screen timeHow unaware yet deep thinkers might find screens captivating but still need real-world movement to stay regulatedWhy confused yet full of wonder kids are drawn to the clarity and predictability screens provideHow needy yet compassionate kids may find screens less physically demanding—and what caregivers can do to balance thatWhy scattered yet intentional kids may gravitate toward the built-in structure of screen-based activitiesMost importantly, you’ll discover practical strategies for helping your child balance their screen time in ways that support growth, regulation, and connection—while still honoring what they enjoy most This episode will shift your perspective on screens from “good vs. bad” to intentional and purposeful. By understanding what draws your child to screens, you can become their playful protector, connector, encourager, or organizer—helping them use technology in ways that support their whole self.Join our community!@TheSensoryEmotional_OT on ⁠Instagram⁠@GreatKidsPlace on ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠ AboutAnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, CIMI-2Occupational Therapist, Great Kids PlaceAnnMarie Murphy is an Occupational Therapist with advanced training and certification from the Sensory Treatment and Research (STAR) Institute, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder. She holds a MS in Occupational Therapy from American International College and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Temple University. Her background also includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, supporting her focus on the neurobiology of sensory processing and the impacts SPD can have on social-emotional development, parent stress, and family dynamics.Alexis Faria, OTD CandidateAlexis Faria is a doctoral student in Occupational Therapy at Kean University. She first joined the Great Kids Place community during her fieldwork in the spring, where she had the privilege of working closely with Michele and the team while learning the Sensory Emotional Engagement Model. Alexis is now thrilled to return for her doctoral residency project, Screens with Purpose: Fostering Intentional Tech Use to Support Child Development, where she is leading a series on guiding families toward balanced and purposeful screen time.A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®Founder, Great Kids Place and the Sensory-motor Emotional EngageMent Frame of ReferenceMichele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®, dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding. Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them.Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.

This episode is tender and deeply personal for all of us at Great Kids Place. Just over a month has passed since the loss of our beloved founder, host, mentor, and friend, Michele Parkins. Michele was the heart of this podcast and the soul behind so much of what we do. Her vision for play, connection, and sensory-emotional work continues to guide us, and today we honor her by exploring grief through the very lens she taught us to use: the sensory-emotional lens.Grief doesn’t only live in our minds or hearts—it lives in our bodies. It shapes how we breathe, move, feel, and connect. In this conversation, AnnMarie Murphy, Occupational Therapist at Great Kids Place, is joined by members of our therapy team as they share their lived experiences of grief through their own Sensory Emotional Personality (SEP) styles.Together, we reflect on:How grief shows up differently for each Sensory Emotional Personality styleThe ways grief impacts our sensory systems, body responses, and daily rhythmsPersonal stories from our therapists that show how grief can look and feel in real lifePractical strategies for supporting ourselves and our children through loss using sensory-emotional awarenessThis episode is an invitation to pause, to feel, and to recognize that while grief is universal, the way we experience it is deeply individual. By honoring those differences, we can better support ourselves and those we love.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Anxious yet Deeply Feeling: why grief can feel overwhelming and lead to control-seeking behaviorsUnaware yet Deep Thinkers: how deep thought and disconnection can coexist in griefConfused yet Full of Wonder: the challenge of navigating grief in a black-and-white, all-or-nothing worldNeedy yet Compassionate: why grief can drain energy and heighten the need for supportScattered yet Intentional and Passionate: how grief disrupts organization and planning, and how leaning into play and connection can ground usAs we continue this podcast in Michele’s memory, we hold tight to her belief that connection and play are powerful healing forces. We hope this conversation helps you feel seen, understood, and less alone.For more resources on how to talk with children about the death of a loved one, visit: UNICEF: How to Talk to Your Children About the Death of a Loved OneAboutAnnMarie Murphy, OTD, OT/L, CIMI-2Occupational Therapist, Great Kids PlaceAnnMarie Murphy is an Occupational Therapist with advanced training and certification from the Sensory Treatment and Research (STAR) Institute, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from American International College and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Temple University.Her background also includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, supporting her focus on the neurobiology of sensory processing and the impacts SPD can have on social-emotional development, parent stress, and family dynamics.A Tribute to Michele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E® Founder of Great Kids Place and the Sensory-Motor Emotional Engagement ModelMichele Parkins, MS, OTR/L, IMH-E®, dedicated her life to supporting children and families with sensory processing and social-emotional challenges. As both a professional and a parent of two sensory children, she combined expertise with deep personal understanding.Passionate about empowering families and mentoring therapists, Michele taught internationally, consulted with schools, and co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the leading textbook in the field. At the time of her passing, she was writing books to help families recognize their Sensory Emotional Personality styles and discover strength and joy within them.Though gone too soon, Michele’s legacy endures in the lives she touched, the community she built, and the vision she entrusted us to carry forward.

With summer often comes vacations, and it’s important to remember that Sensory Emotional Kids tend to express their SEPs more vividly during vacations. Why? Because vacations often involve a break from routine and a flood of novel sensory-motor, social and emotional experiences. These changes can bring out new or more intense social-emotional responses—some that may not usually show up in day-to-day life. When we use a Sensory Emotional Lens, we recognize that the way we take in sensation and move our bodies affects how we feel, act, and interact with the world. At the same time, how we feel, act, and interact influences how we experience sensation and movement. Tune in as we dive into each Sensory Emotional Personality (SEP) and explore strategies tailored to each one, as well as some general strategies worth keeping in mind when going on your next vacation.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why taking a Sensory Emotional Lens matters so much on vacation How the novelty in sensory, motor, emotional, and social demands of vacations can amplify SEPsGeneral strategies to consider when planning trips with Sensory Emotional kidsSpecific strategies when planning for and while on vacation for each SEP:Anxious yet Deeply Feeling: How to offer control, protection, and predictabilityNeedy yet Compassionate: Building in rest, emotional support, and bravery boostsScattered yet Intentional and Passionate: Planning, preparing, and empowering leadershipUnaware yet Deep Thinking: Using input, movement, and connection to encourage engagementConfused yet Full of Wonder: Fostering curiosity, offering space to experiment, and navigating social nuanceJoin our community!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesensoryemotional_ot/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatkidsplace/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatKidsPlace/Visit our Learning Center We know that sensory-motor experiences play a significant role in a child’s daily life and emotional well-being. Using playful interactions, The Sensory Emotional Center of Learning is designed to bring our therapeutic model, the Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™, into your home or work.https://www.sensoryemotionalcenteroflearning.comWant more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/and https://sensoryemotional.org/ AboutMichele Parkins MS, OTR/L IMH-E®Founder & Director, Great Kids Place Founder, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™Michele is an Occupational Therapist endorsed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She specializes in working with children and families with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders and challenges in social-emotional development. She is also a parent of two sensory kids. Michele is passionate about working with families and other therapists and continues to do so as a clinician and educator. She educates therapists from all over the country and world and continues to provide consultation to schools on treatment for sensory processing disorder. Michele has co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the textbook for sensory evaluation and treatment, alongside world-renowned pioneers in the field, and is currently writing a parenting book and children’s books. She hopes to help everyone - children and adults- understand their Sensory Emotional Personality™ style and ways to find strength and joy within them.

Summer can bring freedom and fun — but with its new sensory and emotional experiences, summer can also be sensory overload, emotional fatigue, and unexpected challenges for kids with unique sensory-emotional profiles (SEPs). In this episode, we dive deep into how to support your child’s SEP through summer’s shifting routines, hotter days, unstructured time and newly structured time. With summer bringing new experiences, your child may also be presenting in new ways. It’s a great time to review all of the SEPs, as your child may have some shifts within and between them this summer. Whether your child is Anxious yet Deeply Feeling, Unaware yet Deep Thinking, Confused yet Full of Wonder, Needy yet Compassionate, or Scattered yet Intentional and Passionate, we cover specific strategies for home life, navigating camp, and managing parent-child SEP clashes.In this episode, you’ll discover:The unique summertime experiences of children with the Sensory Emotional Personalities of Anxious yet Deeply Feeling and Unaware yet Deep ThinkingThe reasons your child may be more anxious, hesitant, avoidant, controlling, unaware, a few steps behind, lost in space, inattentive and/or daydream-y in the summer Ways to support your child to bring comfort, awareness, exploration, engagement and joy into the summer daysWays your own Sensory Emotional Personality and the way you process the new and different sensations and experiences of summer can impact your response to your child and your relationships in the summertimeTo learn more about Sensory Emotional Personalities, tune in to episode 09. Sensory Motor Systems and Personalities through A Sensory Emotional LensJoin our community!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesensoryemotional_ot/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatkidsplace/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatKidsPlace/Visit our Learning Center We know that sensory-motor experiences play a significant role in a child’s daily life and emotional well-being. Using playful interactions, The Sensory Emotional Center of Learning is designed to bring our therapeutic model, the Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™, into your home or work.https://www.sensoryemotionalcenteroflearning.comWant more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/and https://sensoryemotional.org/ AboutMichele Parkins MS, OTR/L IMH-E®Founder & Director, Great Kids Place Founder, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™Michele is an Occupational Therapist endorsed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She specializes in working with children and families with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders and challenges in social-emotional development. She is also a parent of two sensory kids. Michele is passionate about working with families and other therapists and continues to do so as a clinician and educator. She educates therapists from all over the country and world and continues to provide consultation to schools on treatment for sensory processing disorder. Michele has co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the textbook for sensory evaluation and treatment, alongside world-renowned pioneers in the field, and is currently writing a parenting book and children’s books. She hopes to help everyone - children and adults- understand their Sensory Emotional Personality™ style and ways to find strength and joy within them.

As we approach the end of the school year, many of us are preparing for big transitions—siblings coming home from college, summer camps kicking off, family vacations in the works, and those familiar routines starting to shift.So today, we're looking back at one of our most timely episodes—because it’s more relevant than ever. In that episode, we explored how changes in routine, while exciting for some, can be overwhelming for kids with sensory and sensory-motor differences. While most of us appreciate routine, our sensory kids depend on it.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why routine is so important for regulation and participationWhat’s happening in the body when routines changeThe social-emotional behaviors that tend to show up during transitionsAnd most importantly, how you can support your child through these shifts with confidence and compassionSo, whether you're packing for camp or just adjusting to having more people in the house again, this episode will help you see these seasonal shifts through a sensory-emotional lens and give you tools to make them smoother for everyone.Join our community!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesensoryemotional_ot/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatkidsplace/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatKidsPlace/Visit our Learning Center We know that sensory-motor experiences play a significant role in a child’s daily life and emotional well-being. Using playful interactions, The Sensory Emotional Center of Learning is designed to bring our therapeutic model, the Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™, into your home or work.https://www.sensoryemotionalcenteroflearning.comWant more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/and https://sensoryemotional.org/ AboutMichele Parkins MS, OTR/L IMH-E®Founder & Director, Great Kids Place Founder, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™Michele is an Occupational Therapist endorsed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She specializes in working with children and families with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders and challenges in social-emotional development. She is also a parent of two sensory kids. Michele is passionate about working with families and other therapists and continues to do so as a clinician and educator. She educates therapists from all over the country and world and continues to provide consultation to schools on treatment for sensory processing disorder. Michele has co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the textbook for sensory evaluation and treatment, alongside world-renowned pioneers in the field, and is currently writing a parenting book and children’s books. She hopes to help everyone - children and adults- understand their Sensory Emotional Personality™ style and ways to find strength and joy within them.

In this episode, we explore the concept of Sensory Emotional Engagement and its role in personality development. Our research team is examining how Sensory Emotional Engagement bridges gaps between sensory integration, mental health, and early relational health. The central idea is that personality forms through repeated patterns of behavior in response to sensory and social stimuli. The way we take in sensations and move our body impacts the way we feel. The way we sense, move, and feel impacts the way we act and interact within environments and with others. The way we act and interact becomes our personality style.In this episode, you'll discover:An understanding of how sensations and movement patterns relate to how our children are feeling and acting helps us understand the body-based contribution to their personality style—or their Sensory–Emotional PersonalityHow this understanding helps us respond to them in ways that help us develop better relational patterns with them, and better support their participation and engagement socially and physicallyThe impact of caregiver responses on the meaning that our children place on sensations and movements and how this further impacts their social and emotional responses How sensory systems themselves are related to specific emotional responses How different postures and movement are related to specific emotional and social responsesHow we sense, move, and feel, and how it impacts the way we act and interact - our personality - within environments and with othersJoin our community!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesensoryemotional_ot/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatkidsplace/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatKidsPlace/Want more resources? Please visit our blog: https://greatkidsplace.com/category/blog/and https://sensoryemotional.org/ AboutMichele Parkins MS, OTR/L IMH-E®Founder & Director, Great Kids Place Founder, Sensory Emotional Engagement Model™Michele is an Occupational Therapist endorsed as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. She specializes in working with children and families with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders and challenges in social-emotional development. She is also a parent of two sensory kids. She works and lives sensational kids! Michele is a fellow of Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, OTR. Michele is passionate about working with families and other therapists and continues to do so as a clinician and educator. She educates therapists from all over the country and world and continues to provide consultation to schools on treatment for sensory processing disorder. Michele has co-authored a chapter in the 3rd edition of Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice, the textbook for sensory evaluation and treatment, alongside world-renowned pioneers in the field, and is currently writing a parenting book and children’s books. She hopes to help everyone - children and adults- understand their Sensory Emotional Personality™ style and ways to find strength and joy within them.