If you know anything about kindergarten students, you know they are busy little humans. Their bodies are always in motion. Their brains are absorbing information at rapid speed. It is a constant flurry of movement, thinking, learning, and playing. My "kinderkids" are no different, except that several of them approach each day with unique sensory processing challenges. These challenges can create havoc and chaos if not given the correct tools to help manage, integrate and use all their senses in a therapeutic and functional manner.
With occupational-therapist recommended strategies, my students with sensory integration challenges have a way to channel their need for movement, touch, sound, and calm surroundings. The materials from this grant will create a good start to meeting the various sensory needs within my class. Students will have access to seating options that allow for small movements while working at the table or on the floor. There will be a variety of tactile mediums for students to manipulate in a functional way while learning numbers, letters, sight words and more. Even with the best planning and strategies in place, though, students sometimes get overwhelmed and overstimulated. The weighted blanket will provide a heavy sensation for students who need to calm or de-escalate while manipulating theraputty, floam or watching visually calming toys.
The materials purchased will be available to anyone in the class that has difficulty attending, sitting still, keeping their hands to themselves or regulating their own behavior when the educational environment becomes overstimulating. Students will feel empowered to use the sensory tools because the materials will enable them to focus better, work longer and remember important information.
About my class
If you know anything about kindergarten students, you know they are busy little humans. Their bodies are always in motion. Their brains are absorbing information at rapid speed. It is a constant flurry of movement, thinking, learning, and playing. My "kinderkids" are no different, except that several of them approach each day with unique sensory processing challenges. These challenges can create havoc and chaos if not given the correct tools to help manage, integrate and use all their senses in a therapeutic and functional manner.
With occupational-therapist recommended strategies, my students with sensory integration challenges have a way to channel their need for movement, touch, sound, and calm surroundings. The materials from this grant will create a good start to meeting the various sensory needs within my class. Students will have access to seating options that allow for small movements while working at the table or on the floor. There will be a variety of tactile mediums for students to manipulate in a functional way while learning numbers, letters, sight words and more. Even with the best planning and strategies in place, though, students sometimes get overwhelmed and overstimulated. The weighted blanket will provide a heavy sensation for students who need to calm or de-escalate while manipulating theraputty, floam or watching visually calming toys.
The materials purchased will be available to anyone in the class that has difficulty attending, sitting still, keeping their hands to themselves or regulating their own behavior when the educational environment becomes overstimulating. Students will feel empowered to use the sensory tools because the materials will enable them to focus better, work longer and remember important information.
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