Baby change pad target full#

Some use the space to get extra energy out through movement, while others like to simply lie on the floor. ItвЂ™s hard to pinpoint the most popular items in the room, as each student uses the space for what they specifically need. There are also a number of fidget spinners, Pop-Its, soft toys, and imaginative play items like a mermaid and a dragon tail.

Baby change pad target full#

We also have some large foam blocks, a small trampoline, flexible seating options like yoga balls and bean bag chairs, and bins full of sensory items like clay and kinetic sand. Hanging above is a string of LED lights-students can use a remote to change the color and flash patterns. The largest feature is the ball pit, an inflatable pool filled with donated plastic balls. In the past, we had a dedicated sensory room, but due to pandemic-related space restrictions, the motor break and sensory space now takes up about half of our shared special education classroom-just beyond our teacher desks, library books, and curriculum materials. We work hard to make this a safe space for any student, but especially for our neurodivergent students who donвЂ™t process physical sensation, time, or interactions with other people the same way. Students donвЂ™t need to worry about being teased or made fun of-this is a place of true acceptance. Neurodivergent children are often told that they вЂњarenвЂ™t doing it right.вЂќ They spend a lot of their energy and focus wondering: Am I sitting still enough? Am I being quiet enough? If I ask this question, will they think I wasnвЂ™t paying attention? If I add this comment to the conversation, will everyone think thatвЂ™s a weird thing to say?Д«ut there is no вЂњdoing it wrongвЂќ in the sensory space, as long as they arenвЂ™t hurting themselves or others. Just 15 or 20 minutes of time in the sensory area helps students return to class feeling refreshed and centered. This environment, combined with sensory activities, allows students of all ages to learn, grow, and thrive at school each day. With help and encouragement from our leadership team and support staff, including occupational therapists and psychologists, we created the sensory room-an indoor space where students could deal with stress of any kind that built up throughout the day.

When you enter our classroom, itвЂ™s hard to miss the inflatable ball pit.ДЇour years ago, we noticed a need for an area where students experiencing complex behavioral issues could release pent-up energy, relax and meditate, or process overwhelming feelings from home or the classroom.