My students need a "calm down" area with tools like a pressure vest and weighted blanket, which provides deep pressure - shown in research to help decrease anxiety, increase oxytocin, and improve attention spans!
My classroom is a small group of children with special needs and lots of energy and enthusiasm for learning! I teach Early Childhood Special Education in a public school in Michigan. Even though these students have challenges physically, emotionally, socially, and/or cognitively, they are learning and growing every day.
Early childhood is such an important foundation for later learning.
Children at this age need to learn how to build positive relationships with their peers and adults, interact with the environment around them, explore their senses, and build the academic skills they will need throughout life.
My Project
The students in my classes have a variety of special needs, including autism, social/emotional delays and difficulty with self-regulation, and ADHD. There are times when they may have a "sensory overload" or trouble managing their emotions.
Thankfully, there are tools specifically made for helping these children calm down and get back to a state of emotional regulation.
The weighted vests and blanket helps a child feel like they are receiving a hug (especially when they don't prefer actual physical contact with others), which is proven to release oxytocin, the "feel good" hormone.
Sometimes, the noise level in the room can be too much and a child just needs to block it all out with noise-cancelling headphones. Alternatively, they can choose to listen to a calming music CD. This both blocks out the noise of the classroom, while also giving them soothing sounds to hear.
Lastly, the scented lotions can provide both a pleasant and calming olfactory (smell) input while also providing tactile stimulation as they rub it into their hands and arms.
I believe with these tools, I will be able to offer children who are in a high emotional state the ability to calm down and regulate their emotions back to a neutral and positive state.
Abilitations Weighted 2 Pound Vest, 24 x 12 to 16 Inches, Red, X-Small
• Amazon Business
$62.99
1
$62.99
Roore 5 lb Children's (for 50lb individual) 36"x48" Navy Blue and Gray Weighted Blanket with Dotted Minkey Cover. Fall Asleep Faster Perfect for kids with Anxiety OCD Stress ADHD Autism
• Amazon Business
$59.95
1
$59.95
Abilitations Weighted 3 Pound Vest, 30 x 15 to 20 Inches, Blue, Small
• Amazon Business
$55.81
1
$55.81
Johnson's Baby Lotion, 27 Ounce (Pack of 2)
• Amazon Business
$29.90
1
$29.90
Abilitations Weight Pack for Weighted Vests, 4 Pounds, Black, Pack of 8
• Amazon Business
$23.90
1
$23.90
Indigo Dreams: Kids Relaxation Music Decreasing Stress, Anxiety and Anger, improve sleep.
• Amazon Business
$12.98
1
$12.98
Mpow 068 Kids Ear Protection Safety Ear Muffs, NRR 25dB Noise Reduction Hearing Protection for Kids, Toddler Ear Protection for Shooting Range Hunting Season for Kids Toddlers Children (Black)
• Amazon Business
$12.19
1
$12.19
Aveeno Positively Nourishing Lavender And Chamomile Calming Body Lotion, 7 Oz
• Amazon Business
$5.74
1
$5.74
Materials cost
$263.46
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$3.95
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$297.41
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$52.48
Total project goal
$349.89
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$349.89
10 Donors
-$206.36
Donations toward project cost
-$178.41
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$27.95
match offer
-$140.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$119.00
Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. McLean and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
