Help me give my students tools to cope with difficult emotions and express themselves using all the senses. Items such as a comfy chair, weighted blanket, calming scents, and fidget toys enable students to self regulate.
We are a community school, surrounded by the local neighborhood and nestled in the hills. We have a population of very talented students who come to school and want to do their best! This school is very special to me as so many students that I have had the honor of interacting with have personally touched my heart with their stories, struggles, and triumphs.
Here at our school, we believe that every human being is important and has value.
Our professional team, families, and the community really come together for the students and I am grateful to be part of such a supportive environment where we can help children thrive!
My Project
Many students that come to me need a safe place to share their challenges and learn new ways to overcome them. In my counseling room students develop healthy coping skills such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, and grounding techniques that are anchored through use of sensory tools such as kinetic sand.
When kids feel stressed or anxious, they can calm their body and mind by engaging in creative activities such as self expression using art, cognitive stimulating origami, and activating their five senses faculties of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch.
The materials I am seeking for this project will help me create a 'cool down corner'. This will be a place where students can sit on a bean bag, saucer, or balance ball chair to have a comfy alternative to traditional seating and engage in breathing exercises or mindful activity (using the book and cards requested) while moving their bodies and feeling 'held' by their surrounding. The weighted blanket is great for children who need the sensory experience to help their bodies calm down when faced with emotional dis-regulation or anxiety. Other sensory tools included in the materials requested is lavender oil that creates a relaxing smell experience and fidget toys which allow students to release tension safely through stretching, squishing, pressing etc. The art materials for this project will give kids a way to express their emotions or communicate their needs through a creative and healthy way. These tools help kids replace unhelpful choices such as fighting with peers, eloping from class, challenging teachers, destroying property, etc.
The skills that are obtained in counseling carry into their school day and students can better regulate their emotions and increase their self confidence. With a calm body and mind, they are ready to learn and create healthy relationships with others!
Sofa Sack - Plush Ultra Soft Bean Bags Chairs for Kids, Teens, Adults - Memory Foam Beanless Bag Chair with Microsuede Cover - Foam Filled Furniture for Dorm Room - Purple 5'
• Amazon Business
$112.60
1
$112.60
YnM Weighted Blanket (15 lbs, 48''x72'', Twin Size) | Gravity 2.0 Heavy Blanket | 100% Cotton Material with Glass Beads | Great Sleep Therapy for People with Anxiety, Autism, ADHD, Insomnia or Stress
• Amazon Business
$69.00
1
$69.00
Urban Shop Faux Fur Saucer Chair with Metal Frame, One Size, Black
• Amazon Business
$39.00
1
$39.00
doTERRA Lavender Essential Oil - Promotes Calm, Relaxation, Peaceful Sleep, Tension Relief, and Soothing of Skin Irritation; For Diffusion, Internal, or Topical Use - 15 ml
• Amazon Business
$28.00
1
$28.00
ALEX Toys Craft Giant Art Jar
• Amazon Business
$18.92
1
$18.92
JVIGUE Sensory Toys Set- 15 Pack Stress Relief Hand Fidget Toys for Kids and Adults, Sensory Therapy Toys for ADHD Autism Stress Anxiety
• Amazon Business
$16.99
1
$16.99
WALIKI TOYS Children's Chair Ball with Feet, Alternative Classroom Seating (Inflatable Balance Ball Chair With Stability Legs for School, Pump Included, 18"/45CM, Blue)
• Amazon Business
$15.99
1
$15.99
Origami Paper 500 Sheets, Premium Quality for Arts and Crafts, 6-inch Square Sheets, 20 Vivid Colors, Same Color on Both Sides, 100 Design E-Book Included (See back of the cover for download info)
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
National Geographic Play Sand - 2 LBS of Sand with Castle Molds and Tray (Purple) - A Kinetic Sensory Activity
• Amazon Business
$12.99
1
$12.99
Power Thought Cards: A 64 Card Deck (Box Set)
• Amazon Business
$12.31
1
$12.31
(1) 9 Inch Large Jumbo Puffer Ball Stress Ball for Kids Tactile Fidget Toy
• Amazon Business
$10.99
1
$10.99
Mindful Kids: 50 Activities for Calm, Focus and Peace
• Amazon Business
$10.39
1
$10.39
Impresa Products 5-Pack of Stretchy String Fidget / Sensory Toys (BPA/Phthalate/Latex-Free) - Stretches from 10 Inches to 8 Feet!
• Amazon Business
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