Sensory-responsive children's socks with color feedback for behavior support

Abstract

Sensory responsive children’s socks with colour feedback for behaviour support, characterised in that the sock • has a sensor element integrated into the footbed that detects movement and / or pressure changes, • includes at least one externally visible color change zone with a thermochromic or motion-dependent material, • If the child remains calm for a longer period of time, a visual change occurs on the sock, which the child perceives as positive feedback. Subclaims:

Description

[0001] The invention relates to children's socks with integrated, non-electronic feedback technology for playful behavior support.

[0002] The goal is to positively reinforce children's calm behavior in everyday life through immediate, visible color feedback - without any digital technology, app connections, or electronic modules.

[0003] The children's socks are equipped with a passive sensor system in the sole, heel or toe area that detects mechanical movement or pressure.

[0004] This can be achieved through a flexible intermediate layer or textile structure that reacts to activity - for example through friction, pressure or temperature increase.

[0005] In connection with this, there are color-changing areas on the outside of the sock that are provided with thermochromic pigments.

[0006] These pigments react to temperature changes that occur during prolonged rest or minimal movement.

[0007] As soon as the child remains still or moves only slightly, the color of the socks visibly changes - for example from gray to green or blue to yellow.

[0008] This gives the child immediate visual feedback about his or her own behavior.

[0009] The color signal has a motivating effect, strengthens self-confidence and promotes self-regulation - without acoustic signals, apps, screens or medication.

[0010] The socks can also be integrated into an analogue reward system (e.g. star chart or sticker sheet), which supports educational routines (e.g. sitting quietly, falling asleep, brushing teeth).

[0011] The sock is made of skin-friendly, elastic textile material (e.g. organic cotton, bamboo, wool with elastane) and is machine washable.

[0012] The thermochromic surfaces and sensor layers are permanently integrated into the textile and designed to be child-safe.

[0013] The invention is particularly suitable for children with motor restlessness, separation anxiety, concentration difficulties or problems falling asleep and offers an everyday, non-technical solution for gentle behavioral support - in kindergarten, at home or at school.

[0014] Many preschool and elementary school-aged children exhibit motor restlessness or difficulty concentrating on a task for extended periods. They find it difficult to remain calm and attentive during everyday activities such as eating, doing homework, falling asleep, or playing at the table.

[0015] This invention supports these children in a gentle, playful way to develop greater calm and concentration. Through the visible feedback, children learn to better perceive and independently regulate their behavior – without external pressure or electronic stimuli.

[0016] Advantages of the invention • Visible feedback for the child directly on the body through color changes • Positive reinforcement without verbal reprimand • Promote self-regulation and concentration skills • Suitable for everyday use, comfortable and child-friendly • Calming effect through visual feedback • Use without digital technology, medication or acoustic stimuli Target group

[0017] Children aged 3 to 10 years, especially with: • motor restlessness • Concentration problems • Difficulty falling asleep or making transitions in the daily routine • Need for support in learning everyday routines Technical descriptionSensory responsive children's socks with color feedback for behavior support

[0018] The invention relates to specially developed children's socks with integrated, non-electronic feedback technology for gentle and playful behavioral support in children.

[0019] The socks work completely without digital components (such as apps, Bluetooth or displays) and offer a directly visible feedback system via thermochromic color-changing fields. How it works

[0020] In the foot area of ​​the sock - especially in the sole, heel or toe area - there is a passive sensor layer that reacts to mechanical influences such as movement, pressure or friction.

[0021] This sensor layer consists of flexible, textile or thermosensitive materials that heat up to different degrees depending on the activity level.

[0022] The outside of the sock features thermochromic color-changing fields that react to temperature changes. • During prolonged rest or minimal movement (e.g. when sitting concentrating, falling asleep or playing quietly), the color changes visibly, e.g. from gray to green or blue. • In case of strong movement or disturbance, the color remains unchanged or changes to a neutral or contrasting color, e.g. gray or red.

[0023] The color feedback is provided directly on the product, visible to the child—without acoustic signals, screens, or external technology. The child recognizes the behavior based on the color change. Reward system

[0024] The visible color change serves as immediate, motivating feedback for the child.

[0025] Children are playfully encouraged to behave calmly and concentrate in order to achieve a positive color change (e.g. to green).

[0026] For further reinforcement, an analogue reward system (e.g. sticker sheet, star chart, calendar) can be used: The child documents when he or she has successfully achieved the colour change.

[0027] This strengthens self-awareness, motivation and self-regulation – without any digital or medicinal aids. Target group

[0028] Children aged approximately 3 to 10 years, especially with: • motor restlessness • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty falling asleep • Transitional difficulties in everyday life (e.g. brushing teeth, changing clothes, playing table games) • emotional tension or overstimulation Special features • Sensors in the textile: Pressure and movement sensors are flexible and integrated directly into the footbed. • Thermochromic colored areas on the outside of the sock visually indicate rest or activity phases. • Without digital technology: No screen, no device, no app - the feedback is purely visual and can be experienced directly. • Can be combined with analogue reward systems such as sticker books, trading cards or weekly calendars. • Suitable for everyday use and child-friendly: Suitable for everyday situations such as playing, sitting, learning, brushing teeth or falling asleep. Materials • Skin-friendly, elastic natural materials such as organic cotton, bamboo fiber, wool or blended fabrics with elastane content • Washable, flexible sensor layer (e.g. textile printing elements or thermosensitive intermediate layers) • Thermochromic color fields on textile basis, child-safe and permanently integrated into the material Unique selling point (USP)

[0029] The children's socks combine wearable clothing with directly visible behavioral feedback - without any digital technology.

[0030] This unique combination of textile, sensory feedback, and emotional motivation offers children gentle, playful support to promote concentration, self-awareness, and self-regulation—suitable for everyday use, sustainable, and child-friendly.

Claims

[1] Sensory-responsive children’s socks with color feedback for behavior support characterized by that the sock • has a sensor element integrated into the footbed that detects movement and / or pressure changes, • includes at least one externally visible color change zone with a thermochromic or motion-dependent material, • If the child remains calm for a longer period of time, a visual change occurs on the sock, which the child perceives as positive feedback. Subclaims: [2] Sock according to claim 1, characterized by that the sensor element is a mechanically reacting layer or film that is heated by pressure or movement and thus triggers a color change in the superimposed thermochromic area. [3] Sock according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the color change is reversible and shows a different color when the child's activity decreases after a defined period of time. [4] Sock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the color change zones are designed in the form of symbols, patterns or figures that visibly change when a certain resting behavior is reached. [5] Sock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sensor element is arranged in several areas of the sock (e.g. heel, ball of the foot, toe area) in order to enable differentiated feedback on movement behavior. [6] Sock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a color change only occurs when a certain level of movement is reached, which is controlled by a thermal / mechanical threshold behavior. [7] Sock according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat the sock is made of an elastic textile material with a blend of natural fibers such as cotton, bamboo or wool as well as a proportion of elastane, with the sensor technology being fully integrated into the textile. [8] Sock according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the sock is used in conjunction with an analogue reward system (e.g. star card, sticker sheet), whereby the colour change serves as a trigger for a reward.