Your child has found a chew that works at home. Now you'd like them to be able to use it at school, but you're not sure how the teacher will react. This guide walks you through it, with a template letter you can copy at the end.
Start before the first day, not after
In our experience, the conversation goes most smoothly when school hears about the chew from you first, rather than a teacher spotting a child chewing something round their neck and not knowing what it is.
The NHS advises that if you're worried about how ADHD may be affecting your child, you can talk to their teacher, who will usually involve the school's special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). The SENCO is often the right person for sensory tools too.
What schools often ask about
Every school is different, but it helps to see a real example. New Milton Junior School in Hampshire has published a sensory tools policy that lists "chewable silicone necklaces or bracelets (certified food-safe)" among its permitted tools. Its staff guide says:
- the SENDCo must approve the tool, with advice from an occupational therapist or speech and language therapist sought where possible
- chews are single-user only, kept in a labelled box or cup with the pupil's name
- they're cleaned daily or as recommended by the manufacturer
- staff monitor them for wear or damage
- use is reviewed regularly with parents
Policies vary, so ask your school what it needs. But going in ready to talk about safety, hygiene and storage will answer most questions before they're asked.
Necklace or bangle?
Some schools are happy with necklaces. Others prefer something on the wrist or in the pencil case, particularly for PE or playtime. It's worth having a back-up option in mind.
- Pendants, like our classic Dog Tags, come in neutral colours that many schools are happy to accept.
- Bangles, like the Flip Communication Bangle in child size or the Twister Bangles, avoid a cord altogether.
- Communication bangles, like the Emotichew, have a red side and a green side, so a child can show "leave me be" or "talk to me" without words. Some families find that helpful in class too.
Browse all our pendants and bangles.
Plan the practical bits
A little planning goes a long way:
- Label it. Put your child's name on the storage box or pouch.
- Send a spare to keep at home. Chews wear out, and it helps to have one ready. Spare cords are available too: see our spare cord bundles.
- Agree cleaning. Who cleans it, and when? Follow the care instructions on your product.
- Agree checks. Ask staff to let you know if they spot any nicks or tears, so it can be replaced straight away.
- Agree when it's used. For example, during lessons but not in PE.
If your child has an EHCP or SEN support
If your child already has SEN support or an Education, Health and Care Plan, you could ask for sensory tools to be discussed at the next review, so everyone is on the same page.
Template letter to the teacher or SENCO
Feel free to copy, edit and send this:
Dear [Teacher's or SENCO's name],
I'm writing to let you know that [child's name] finds chewing helps them feel calm and stay settled, and we've found a chew that works well for them at home. I'd love for them to be able to use it at school too.
It's a [chew necklace / chew bangle] from Chewigem, made from silicone and designed to be chewed. [If it's a necklace: The cord and clasp are not for chewing. If your product has a breakaway clasp, mention it here.] It's quiet, and [child's name] will use it when they need it.
To keep things simple, I will:
- send it in a named box or pouch
- clean it regularly and replace it if it shows any wear
- keep a spare at home
I'd be grateful if you could let me know if there's anything you'd like me to do differently, or any school policy I should follow. I'm very happy to chat if it would help.
Thank you so much for your support.
Kind regards,
[Your name]
[Contact details]
Before sending, check the details of your child's product so the letter describes it accurately.
If the answer is "not yet"
Don't be discouraged. Ask what the school would need to feel comfortable. It might be a different format (a bangle rather than a necklace), a trial period, or advice from a professional involved with your child. Policies like New Milton's include a trial and review stage, so a "not yet" can become a "yes".
Ready to choose?
Pick a school-friendly colour from our pendants or bangles, or take the four-question quiz on the Chewigem homepage.
A short, friendly letter is often all it takes.
Sources
- New Milton Junior School, "Use of Sensory Tools" policy and "Sensory Tools in School: Staff Guide" (published PDFs): newmiltonjuniorschool.co.uk
- NHS, "ADHD in children and young people": nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/symptoms/
- Product details: chewigem.com product pages (linked above)