My students come from a Pre-K & 3-K center where more than 80% are special education students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and or an Intellectual Disability. Most of these students are non-verbal and have trouble expressing their basic needs. We also have a high percentage of students from low income families, with less opportunities to access therapies, community activities, and sensory equipment. As their educators it is our job to expose them to the world of sensory and hand them the tools they need to successfully process and understand their sensory needs.
Most of our students have intense sensory processing differences that can make learning very difficult for them.
When children have intense sensory needs, it can be difficult for them to function appropriately in a classroom setting. They can cause harm to themselves and others. This sensory gym will provide them with the tools they need to regulate their bodies and become successful throughout their lives. In early childhood, students learn through play. This sensory based gym will not only be the most fun part of their day, but the most important part their life.
My Project
My students are about to enter the most important part of their lives. Pre-K is the time where children ages three and four begin to socialize and create relationships. Gross motor play in Phys-ED is the perfect instructional setting where students interact with each other through play which helps build their social emotional cognitive skills. These skills require a fun and adventurous setting to be accomplished. Unfortunately, the journey for our special education students will often be long and difficult especially when accompanied by a sensory processing disorder. With the right equipment our staff will be able to meet the sensory and social needs of the children.
The ability of having a sensory gym in our school would allow students to become sensory savvy.
Sensory savvy students will be able to self-regulate their bodies. This self-soothing will allow them to learn basic life skills such as language, relationship building, gross and fine motor skills.
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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 Mrs. Paulsen and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
