Our senses work together to give us information about our bodies. They help us know where our body parts are in relation to one another, where our bodies are in the surrounding space, what is happening around us and guide us to interact with people and materials around us. All students benefit from sensory input throughout the day. Some students need more and some need less. The following list provides ideas to provide a sensory rich environment for student at school and at home.
Movement Breaks and a Sensory Rich
Environment as Part of a Student's Day
Print: Movement Breaks and a Sensory Rich Environment as Part of a Student's Day
1. Sit in a rocking chair - provides movement input while student can stay in one spot.
2. Use music to set the beat of the classroom. Play quiet music with a restful, steady pulse during quiet sit down tasks. Play fast beat music once a day while students pick up / straighten up the classroom. Play a short familiar tune during transitions.
3. It may be a good idea to establish a daily warm-up routine to help students "get set" before writing tasks. See: One Minute Warm up
4. To prep for a sitting activity Make a Rain Storm: Start with rubbing hands together, then snapping fingers, then patting lap, then stomping feet. Now reverse the process to return back to quiet rubbing of hands together. End with having everyone push their palms together to calm and ready their bodies for listening and learning.
5. To give heavy input: wall push-ups, chair push-ups, push a vacuum, pull a heavy wagon, rearrange desks, hold open a heavy door, play catch with a weighted ball, take a heavy package to the office, rearrange sand filled 2 liter soda bottles, return a stack of books to the media center, shelve books or squeeze putty .
6. Give a movement break by asking a student to erase the board, wash the tables, set out the trash or recycling.
7. Desk Dancing: Students stand with both hands leaning on the desk top. Keep arms straight so arms and shoulders have to hold up the student. Sway left and right, forwards and back to music. (picture and link under construction)
8. Walking, running and playing on the playground. Sand and mulch increase resistance and sensory feedback.
1o. Use a rough surface (e.g. plastic canvas, sand paper, fabric) under paper to feel the vibration as a crayon rubs over the texture. (picture and link under construction)
11. Tie a foot fidget to a chair to use as a footrest. Inexpensive thick stretchy cord can be purchased at some craft supply stores. (picture and link under construction)
12. Wiggle cushions work for some students. (picture and link under construction)
13. Allow students to stand at his or her desk. They may also prefer to sit on their knees or lay on the floor when appropriate to complete work. Use a clip board as needed.
14. A water bottle with a built in straw is a good way to provide oral sensory input. (picture and link under construction)
16. Fasten a heavy phone book to the bottom of the student's chair. Throughout the day, have the student push his/her chair to use in different locations in the room. (picture and link under construction)
17. Sensory buckets or tubs. Scoop, pour, stir, hide and find items.
18. Sitting in a bean bag chair or on a big pile of pillows increases sensory input to the body.
19. Your student may enjoy smushing between couch cushions, jumping on a mini trampoline, or bouncing on a Hippity Hop.
20. Crunchy and chewy foods give increased oral sensory input.
Great information regarding using music in a classroom: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-music-strategies-language-arts-classroom-heather-wolpert-gawron