Got a Behavior Report from Preschool? Why It Might Be Sensory & How OT Might Help
It’s that time of year again…parent-teacher conferences, progress updates, and sometimes…incident reports. If you’ve recently received a note home from your child’s preschool or daycare about “challenging behaviors,” you’re not alone. Many parents of pre-K children find themselves surprised or even worried when their child’s name shows up in behavior reports.
Before jumping to conclusions that your child is “bad” or “misbehaving on purpose,” it’s important to know this: behaviors are communication. In most cases, children aren’t acting out just to make life harder for parents and teachers. Almost always there is a concrete reason.
What Behaviors Might Look Like in Preschool
Preschool and daycare teachers may describe behaviors such as:
Trouble sitting still during circle time
Aggression toward peers (pushing, hitting, biting)
Meltdowns during transitions (leaving playground, moving to lunch, clean-up time)
Difficulty following group instructions
Running away or climbing when others are seated
Seeming “overly sensitive” or “completely unfazed” by noise, lights, or touch
These behaviors may appear random, but often they’re tied to how a child’s nervous system processes the world around them.
Sensory Processing
Children take in information through their senses: touch, sound, movement, sight, taste, smell, even body awareness (proprioception) and balance (vestibular). When a child’s sensory processing system isn’t working smoothly, everyday routines can feel overwhelming, confusing, or dysregulating.
For example:
A child who hits may actually be trying to get deep pressure input to feel grounded.
A child who runs away may be seeking movement because their body craves input.
A child who “zones out” during circle time might be overloaded by the buzz of lights, scraping chairs, or the closeness of peers.
These aren’t signs of a “bad kid”, but rather they are signs of a child whose sensory needs aren’t being met in ways their nervous system can manage.
Why Consider an OT Evaluation
An occupational therapist trained in sensory processing can help by:
Observing the child in their environment
Identifying what sensory systems may be under- or over-responsive
Helping parents and teachers understand the “why” behind behaviors
Providing strategies to make routines—circle time, snack, playground, nap—more successful
Empowering families with tools to support regulation and participation
The goal isn’t to “fix” your child, it’s to give them (and teachers/you!) the right support so they can learn, play, and thrive alongside their peers.
What Parents Can Do Right Now
Start with observation. Notice when behaviors occur: Is it during transitions? Around noise? When your child is hungry or tired? Patterns provide clues.
Partner with teachers. Ask if they notice similar patterns. Share what helps at home.
Seek an OT consult. Even a brief sensory processing evaluation can shed light on what’s really going on and guide everyone toward practical solutions. At the least, it can help tease out if a sensory processing issue is the root cause.
Final Thoughts
If your child’s behaviors have raised concerns at preschool or daycare, it doesn’t mean they’re destined to struggle. More often, it means they’re communicating a need that hasn’t yet been understood. Occupational therapy offers a way to uncover those needs, reduce stress for your child, and support their full participation in the routines that matter most.
