Snoezelen offers peace to sensitive children

Where does Snoezelen come from?

The term snoezelen is a contraction of the words ‘snuffelen’ and ‘doezelen’. But the English tem ‘to snooze’ (to take a nap) is also associated with the word snoezelen. Another word for this is also called sensory activation.

What is snoezelen?

Snoezelen is the offering of sensory stimuli in an atmospheric environment. The emphasis is on sensory activation by experiencing the sensory perceptions of light, sound, smell, taste and everything that can be felt. Often a separate Snoezel room is set up.

What is the goal?

The main objective of Snoezelen is to promote well-being in tune with the needs, interests and possibilities of the individual person.

Important goals:

• Unwinding and relaxing
• Learning to enjoy sensory stimuli
• Discovering the world around them with the senses
• Stimulating the experience of body and space
• Improve communication skills by having them name the sensory experience and the additional feelings
• Promoting mutual empathy between child and caregiver (parent)

For which target group is Snoezelen suitable?

Sensory activation can be used effectively for:

• Children/adults with intellectual or multiple disabilities
• Elderly people with dementia
• Children/adults with autism
• Children who need rest and distraction
• Small children at daycare or kindergarten

How can you make a Snoezelen room at home?

Often a special room is set up for Snoezelen. But as a parent of a stimulus-sensitive child, a child with autism, ADHD or a highly sensitive child, can you also set up a snoezel place at home?

Read our tips here -> Setting up a Snoezel room