Help support Mrs. Kulenkamp's Classroom

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health disorder in the USA today. Although we often think of anxiety in adults, it is also pervasive in both early childhood and school-aged children. Many children struggle with regulating their emotions and intense feelings that they cannot control. This leads many kids to act out, hurt themselves or others, and fall behind academically. "All sensory input, which begins in the brain, has its effect throughout the body, " - Norman Cousins. I work with students who struggle with intense emotions within a special education setting. These students have been identified as needing intense and therapeutic interventions in order to address their inability to regulate their emotions. Their brains and bodies struggle with finding a "baseline." This makes it difficult for them to have success in a traditional school setting since their brains are not yet able to discern fear from safety. My students cannot learn without first having calm brains and bodies. Having sensory tools such as dough and sand, allow for my students to have sensory input by squishing, smashing, rolling, and pounding. These activities allow their bodies to calm and take their minds off of external or internal stressors that prevent them from having success at school. I am requesting tools that will allow my students to better regulate their emotions and senses. These items, although elementary, will provide a developmentally and age-appropriate outlet for my students to express themselves and take mental breaks in between tasks throughout the school day.

About my class

Anxiety disorder is the most common mental health disorder in the USA today. Although we often think of anxiety in adults, it is also pervasive in both early childhood and school-aged children. Many children struggle with regulating their emotions and intense feelings that they cannot control. This leads many kids to act out, hurt themselves or others, and fall behind academically. "All sensory input, which begins in the brain, has its effect throughout the body, " - Norman Cousins. I work with students who struggle with intense emotions within a special education setting. These students have been identified as needing intense and therapeutic interventions in order to address their inability to regulate their emotions. Their brains and bodies struggle with finding a "baseline." This makes it difficult for them to have success in a traditional school setting since their brains are not yet able to discern fear from safety. My students cannot learn without first having calm brains and bodies. Having sensory tools such as dough and sand, allow for my students to have sensory input by squishing, smashing, rolling, and pounding. These activities allow their bodies to calm and take their minds off of external or internal stressors that prevent them from having success at school. I am requesting tools that will allow my students to better regulate their emotions and senses. These items, although elementary, will provide a developmentally and age-appropriate outlet for my students to express themselves and take mental breaks in between tasks throughout the school day.

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About my class

Help teachers & students in your hometown this season! Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.

Mrs. Kulenkamp's Classroom Edit display name

Support her classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

Support Mrs. Kulenkamp's classroom with a gift that fosters learning.

About my class

About my class

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Help teachers & students in your hometown this season!
Use code HOME at checkout and your donation will be matched up to $100.