Classroom Procedures for Sensory Intervention

1. Classroom can be set up to give sensory breaks at regular intervals throughout the school day.

   1. Studies show that kindergarten children need brain breaks every 15 minutes.

   2. Studies show that middle school children need breaks every 50 minutes.

   3. Add 5 minute intervals as you go up through the grades to determine appropriate times for breaks. This means that a first grader should get 20 minutes. A second grader should get 25 minutes. Keep adding five minutes as you go up.

2. The breaks given at regular intervals throughout the school day should be "brain breaks" that are quick, lasting only about 30 seconds to 1 minute.

3. Along with the brain breaks, we need to incorporate one morning and one afternoon sensory break that lasts 10 minutes. Vestibular and Proprioceptive input are the best types to use during this time.