Goodwin: Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Toddlers with Sensory Processing Differences

Goodwin is not a brand, product, or curriculum—but a foundational, evidence-based framework developed by Dr. Lucy Goodwin, a pediatric occupational therapist and early intervention researcher at the University of Washington’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Over 17 years of longitudinal fieldwork across 42 Head Start programs and 68 inclusive childcare centers, Dr. Goodwin and her team identified consistent patterns in how toddlers aged 12–36 months communicate unmet sensory needs—and how responsive adults can intervene before behaviors escalate. This article details the core principles, measurable outcomes, and actionable classroom strategies derived from the Goodwin framework, including specific environmental modifications, adult response protocols, and progress-tracking tools validated with over 1,200 toddlers. Data shows that schools implementing Goodwin-aligned practices saw a 63% reduction in staff-reported behavioral incidents requiring redirection within 8 weeks, and a 41% increase in observed self-regulation during transitions.

The Origins and Scientific Foundation of the Goodwin Framework

Dr. Lucy Goodwin launched her research in 2006 after observing that standard behavior-management approaches—such as time-in/time-out cycles or sticker charts—failed to reduce frequency or intensity of sensory-driven behaviors (e.g., bolting, biting, prolonged meltdowns) in toddlers under age three. Her team conducted a multi-site mixed-methods study across Washington, Oregon, and Minnesota, enrolling 1,247 toddlers (mean age: 24.7 months; SD = 5.2), all screened using the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile-2 (ITSP-2), a standardized assessment co-published by Pearson Clinical and Western Psychological Services. The ITSP-2 measures eight sensory processing domains—including auditory processing, vestibular seeking, oral-tactile sensitivity, and proprioceptive discrimination—with norm-referenced T-scores (M = 50, SD = 10). Goodwin’s cohort revealed that 78% of toddlers exhibiting frequent dysregulation scored ≥1.5 SD below the mean in at least two domains—most commonly low registration (T-score ≤ 35) and sensory seeking (T-score ≥ 65).

Unlike traditional models that pathologize behavior, Goodwin’s framework reframes dysregulation as communicative intent. A toddler who climbs furniture repeatedly isn’t ‘defiant’—they’re signaling unmet proprioceptive input needs. A child who covers ears and cries in group circle time may be experiencing auditory over-responsivity at sound levels exceeding 75 dB—the average decibel level measured in preschool classrooms during peak activity (per NIH/NIDCD 2022 classroom acoustics report). Goodwin’s work bridges neuroscience and pedagogy: fMRI studies cited in her 2019 monograph Sensory Foundations: Neural Pathways in Early Regulation confirm that consistent, predictable sensory input strengthens prefrontal cortex–brainstem connectivity in children under three—directly supporting executive function development.

Core Tenets: Three Non-Negotiable Principles

The Goodwin framework rests on three empirically grounded tenets, each validated through randomized controlled trials published in Pediatrics and Early Childhood Research Quarterly. First, Anticipation over reaction: Adults must anticipate sensory triggers 3–5 minutes before they occur—not respond after escalation. Second, Input matching: Sensory strategies must match the child’s neurobiological profile—not adult preference. For example, deep pressure (e.g., weighted lap pads) reduces cortisol in toddlers with tactile defensiveness (T-score ≤ 32), but increases agitation in those with low registration (T-score ≤ 35), per a 2021 double-blind RCT with n = 184.

Third, Co-regulation as scaffolding: Goodwin defines co-regulation not as calming the child, but as modeling and narrating one’s own regulatory state (“My hands feel wiggly—I’m going to squeeze this stress ball three times”). This mirrors Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development: regulation capacity expands only when supported within milliseconds of need, not minutes later. In a 2023 replication study across 14 California preschools, teachers trained in Goodwin co-regulation techniques increased their use of real-time verbal scaffolding by 217% (baseline M = 1.2 instances/hour → post-training M = 3.45), correlating with a 0.82 effect size in toddler heart rate variability (HRV) improvement—a physiological marker of parasympathetic engagement.

Practical Implementation: The Goodwin Classroom Environment

Physical space design is the first lever of change in Goodwin-aligned settings. Unlike generic ‘calm corners,’ Goodwin specifies four functionally distinct zones, each with precise dimensions, materials, and usage protocols. The Proprioceptive Zone must include at least one piece of equipment generating ≥20 lbs of resistance (e.g., a Rocker Board by Therapy Shoppe, rated for 35 lbs load; or a wall-mounted climbing panel with 3-inch-thick EVA foam padding). Dimensions: minimum 4 ft × 4 ft, with non-slip flooring rated ASTM F1292-22 (impact attenuation ≤ 1000 g). The Auditory Modulation Zone uses passive noise-dampening—not headphones. Ceiling-mounted acoustic panels (e.g., AcoustiGuard 0.8” thick, NRC rating = 0.85) reduce ambient noise by 12–15 dB, verified via SoundMeter Pro app calibrated to ANSI S1.4 standards.

The Tactile Exploration Zone requires ≥6 texture categories: smooth (glass stones), rough (burlap swatches), cool (stainless steel scoops), warm (microwavable rice bags held at 37°C ± 1°C), yielding (theraputty), and vibrating (vibrating massager set to 30 Hz, per FDA Class I device guidelines). All items are cleaned daily with Sani-Cloth AF3 wipes (EPA Reg. No. 70983-2), proven effective against rhinovirus and RSV in childcare settings. Finally, the Vestibular Reset Zone includes only linear motion options—no spinning chairs—to avoid vestibular confusion. A platform swing (Harkla Swing, weight limit 50 lbs) suspended 24 inches above floor, with 36-inch clearance radius, allows safe, controlled swinging at ≤20 cycles/minute—matching optimal vestibular input frequency for toddlers per vestibular-ocular reflex research (Journal of Vestibular Research, 2020).

Materials That Meet Goodwin Specifications

Selecting appropriate tools is non-negotiable. Below is a table comparing common sensory products against Goodwin’s peer-reviewed safety and efficacy thresholds:

Goodwin explicitly prohibits weighted vests, spinning devices, and scented products (including lavender oil diffusers), citing Level 1 evidence from Cochrane reviews showing no positive behavioral outcomes and documented risks—including positional asphyxia in vests and olfactory sensitization in 23% of toddlers exposed to synthetic fragrances for >15 min/day.

Adult Response Protocols: What to Say and Do—Second by Second

Goodwin replaces vague directives like “use your words” with timed, scripted adult responses. Each protocol is tied to observable physiological cues—not interpretation. When a toddler exhibits rapid breathing (>32 breaths/minute, measured via stethoscope or pulse oximeter), flushed cheeks (temp ≥37.3°C axillary), and clenched fists, the adult initiates the Regulation Anchor Sequence:

1. 0–3 seconds: Kneel to eye level, place one hand gently on child’s upper back (not shoulder), say: “I’m right here. Your body feels big.” (Uses interoceptive labeling, proven to decrease amygdala activation in fMRI studies)
2. 4–12 seconds: Offer one tactile option aligned with profile: for tactile seekers, a textured fidget cube (e.g., Tangle Jr., 2.5” diameter, 12 surface textures); for tactile avoiders, a smooth river stone (4–5 cm diameter, 120 g weight).
3. 13–30 seconds: Introduce rhythmic input: 3 slow pushes on shoulders (1 sec down, 1 sec hold, 1 sec release) OR 3 gentle bounces on therapy ball (if seated), synchronized with whispered counting.
4. 31–60 seconds: Name the transition: “In 20 seconds, we’ll walk to the sink. I’ll hold your hand.” Avoid open-ended questions (“Do you want to wash hands?”) which increase cognitive load.

This sequence is not negotiable—even if the child pushes away. Research shows consistency in timing and wording increases neural predictability, reducing fight-or-flight duration by an average of 47 seconds per incident (n = 892 incidents tracked via ABC+ recording sheets).

Language That Builds Neural Pathways

Goodwin emphasizes verb choice rooted in motor planning and interoception. Instead of “Stop jumping!” (which activates threat response), say “Feet heavy on floor”—a phrase activating proprioceptive pathways. Instead of “Don’t grab!” say “Hands waiting”—engaging inhibitory control circuits. A 2022 study in Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research found toddlers repeated “hands waiting” 3.2× more frequently than “keep your hands to yourself,” and demonstrated 28% faster impulse inhibition on Go/No-Go tasks after 4 weeks of consistent use.

Labeling internal states builds interoceptive awareness—the ability to recognize bodily signals before dysregulation peaks. Goodwin-approved phrases include: “Your muscles feel tight,” “Your breath is fast,” “Your face feels hot.” These are never paired with emotion labels (“You’re angry”) until the child independently names the feeling—typically emerging between 32–38 months. Premature labeling bypasses neural integration and reinforces adult interpretation over self-awareness.

Data-Driven Progress Monitoring

Goodwin rejects subjective ratings like “improved behavior.” Instead, it mandates three objective metrics collected weekly by lead teachers using free, validated tools:

• Duration of Self-Initiated Regulation: Measured via stopwatch when child independently seeks a sensory tool (e.g., squeezes therapy putty without prompting). Target: ≥30 seconds sustained by week 6.
• Transition Success Rate: Percentage of scheduled transitions (e.g., carpet → table) completed within 90 seconds without physical guidance. Baseline averages 41%; Goodwin-trained sites reach 79% by week 10.
• Co-Regulation Responsiveness Index (CRI): Calculated as (seconds adult responds within 5 sec of first dysregulation cue) ÷ (total dysregulation episodes). Goal: CRI ≥ 0.85. Achieved in 89% of trained staff by week 4.

These metrics feed into the Goodwin Dashboard—a Google Sheets template (freely available via UW’s Early Intervention Resource Hub) that auto-generates trend lines and flags outliers. Teachers receive biweekly coaching based on dashboard data—not anecdote. In a 2023 cluster RCT, centers using dashboard-guided coaching showed 3.1× greater growth in toddler regulation skills versus centers using monthly staff meetings alone.

When to Refer: Red Flags Requiring Specialist Collaboration

Goodwin explicitly defines thresholds indicating need for OT or developmental pediatric evaluation—preventing both over- and under-referral. Referral is mandated when:

• A toddler consistently avoids all floor play (e.g., refuses tummy time, crawling, sitting unsupported) for >3 weeks despite Goodwin environmental supports;
• Oral-motor skills lag: no chewing of soft solids (e.g., banana, cooked carrots) by 24 months, or persistent drooling interfering with speech intelligibility (≤50% words understood by unfamiliar adults);
• Vestibular responses are absent: no head righting against gravity by 18 months, or no protective extension when tilted sideways (tested per Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-3 norms).

Goodwin does not endorse screening tools like the M-CHAT for sensory concerns—it cites insufficient specificity in toddlers under 24 months. Instead, it directs educators to the Early Sensory Assessment Protocol (ESAP), a 12-item observational checklist co-developed with Seattle Children’s Hospital, with 92% sensitivity for SPD diagnosis when administered by trained staff.

Sustaining Change: Staff Training and Systemic Supports

One-day workshops produce zero lasting impact, per Goodwin’s 2021 systems analysis of 317 training events. Effective implementation requires three structural supports: (1) Protected 15-minute weekly planning time for lead teachers to review dashboard data and adjust zones; (2) A designated Sensory Liaison—a staff member trained to 20-hour competency level (verified via UW’s online micro-credential, ID# GW-2024-EL); and (3) Family partnership built on shared data—not advice. Parents receive weekly CRI scores and video snippets (with consent) showing their child’s self-initiated regulation attempts, annotated with Goodwin terminology (“Look—she chose the blue stone when her breath sped up!”).

Financial sustainability is addressed through tiered material budgets. Goodwin-certified programs allocate $127.50 per enrolled toddler annually—calculated from median costs across 68 sites: $42 for consumables (therapy putty, rice bags, wipes), $63 for durable equipment amortized over 3 years (swings, platforms, acoustic panels), and $22.50 for staff micro-credentials. This is 37% lower than average sensory toolkit spending reported in NAEYC’s 2023 State of Preschool report ($202/toddler), with superior outcomes.

Importantly, Goodwin rejects universal sensory diets. Each toddler receives an individualized Sensory Support Plan (SSP) updated every 28 days, co-created with families and reviewed by a licensed occupational therapist. The SSP specifies exact timing (e.g., “10:15 am: 2 minutes on rocker board”), dosage (e.g., “30 seconds of deep pressure to shoulders, twice daily”), and exit criteria (e.g., “discontinue weighted lap pad when child independently requests ‘heavy feet’ during circle time for 5 consecutive days”).

Real Outcomes: What the Data Shows

Since 2018, 212 early learning programs across 17 states have implemented Goodwin with fidelity monitoring. Aggregate data reveals:

• Average reduction in staff-reported physical interventions (holding, guiding limbs) from 4.7 to 1.3 incidents/week/toddler;
• 72% of toddlers increased independent play duration from <5 minutes to ≥12 minutes within 12 weeks;
• Parent-reported stress (measured via Parenting Stress Index-Short Form) decreased by 2.4 points (SD = 1.1) on a 5-point scale;
• Staff retention in Goodwin-certified centers was 89% at 24 months vs. 61% national average for preschools (National Association of Child Care Resources & Referral Agencies, 2023).

Crucially, gains persist. A 2-year follow-up of 314 toddlers showed 81% maintained regulation gains at kindergarten entry—as measured by the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA) Initiative scale (M = 4.2/5, SD = 0.4). No regression occurred when supports were phased per SSP exit criteria.

Goodwin succeeds because it treats sensory processing not as a deficit to fix, but as neurodiversity to honor—and gives adults precise, repeatable tools to partner with toddlers’ nervous systems, not override them. It transforms ‘behavior problems’ into opportunities for co-created safety, predictability, and growth—one regulated breath, one anchored transition, one matched input at a time.

Getting Started: First Steps for Educators

Begin with the Goodwin Environmental Audit, a free 15-minute walkthrough checklist available at uw.edu/goodwin/audit. Focus first on the Proprioceptive Zone—its impact is most immediate. Replace one non-compliant item (e.g., swap a beanbag chair for a Rocker Board) and track duration of self-initiated use for five days. Then train one colleague in the Regulation Anchor Sequence—practice with peers using role-play videos from the UW repository. Never start with ‘fixing’ a child. Start with adjusting the environment and your own response timing. That shift—measurable in seconds—is where neural rewiring begins.

Dr. Goodwin’s mantra, repeated in every training: “The toddler’s nervous system isn’t broken. It’s asking for help—in the only language it has. Our job isn’t to silence that language, but to learn how to speak it fluently.” This fluency isn’t innate—it’s teachable, measurable, and life-changing for toddlers, families, and educators alike.

Implementation fidelity matters more than enthusiasm. A 2022 fidelity analysis found programs scoring ≥85% on the Goodwin Implementation Checklist (12 items, scored 0–2) achieved 92% of targeted outcomes, while those scoring <70% achieved only 31%. Fidelity hinges on consistency—not perfection. One teacher using the Anchor Sequence correctly 3 out of 5 times still moves the needle. What fails is inconsistency masked as effort.

Goodwin doesn’t require new curricula, expensive tech, or sweeping program overhauls. It asks educators to notice more precisely, respond more promptly, and adjust environments more intentionally—using tools already accessible. Its power lies in its humility: it assumes the child is already competent, and the adult’s role is to remove barriers—not impose solutions.

For toddlers whose bodies feel too loud, too quiet, too heavy, or too light, Goodwin offers something rare in early childhood: not just accommodation, but affirmation. Not just management, but meaning-making. Every calibrated push, every named sensation, every timed transition says, clearly and repeatedly: Your nervous system is valid. Your communication matters. You belong—exactly as you are.