My students need a Jumbo Foam Mat For Kids, an 8 ft. Lounger Bean Bag, kinetic sand, water beads, scalp massagers, LEGO bricks, and other sensory items.
I am an occupational therapist in a school composed of 3rd through 5th-grade students. Many of the special education students have sensory processing needs impacting their emotional regulation, body control, and attention.
Imagine being up all night with a sick child, no time for breakfast or coffee because you were organizing child care and you thought you would have just enough time to get to work when a train was stopped dead in its tracks.
Now, you're sitting in a meeting where you are expected to be an active participant and help make decisions about your organization's future. Your boss calls your name and you realize that instead of listening to the discussion, you were thinking about how bright the lights seemed in the room and how your legs had never felt so restless.
This stress-induced feeling is similar to what a child with sensory processing needs experiences 24 hours a day as they attempt to filter sensory stimuli and navigate through their school schedule on a daily basis. The difference is, they don't yet have the skills to problem solve and cope with the over/underabundance of sensory information to keep themselves regulated and ready to learn.
My Project
The equipment and materials will be used in the sensory rooms we have available throughout our school building. The items we currently have available do not meet the demands of the growing student needs. The items requested will provide different activities and expand the number of students who can participate in sensory activities. The large bean bag chair and inflatable air lounger will give compression to the body which creates a calming and organizing effect. The tactile sensory and fine motor materials (kinetic sand, water beads, scalp massagers, LEGO bricks) provide predictability and calming. Tactile materials also help students cope with tactile defensiveness. Heavy work equipment, such as the heavy ball, crash pad, and punching bag will help students with emotional regulation difficulties as well as those who have excessive energy causing them to be "wiggly" during class time.
By providing our students with sensory options and proactive sensory breaks, we are teaching them how to appropriately manage their sensory needs to increase their social skills and academic success in the school environment.
When we are able to try various sensory activities, equipment, and materials, a proactive sensory diet can be created and implemented consistently. As a result, our students feel in control of their body and behavior and show greater focus and success in the classroom.
Skil-Care Crash Pad - Jumbo Foam Mat For Kids (W/Cover, 5' x 5')
• Amazon Business
$219.00
1
$219.00
Christopher Knight Home 294973 David Faux Suede 8 Feet Lounger Bean Bag (Black)
• Amazon Business
$146.23
1
$146.23
Time Timer MOD (Sky Blue), 60 Minute Visual Analog Timer, Optional Alert (On/Off), No Loud Ticking; Time Management Tool
• Amazon Business
$27.59
5
$137.95
Everlast Power core Freestanding Heavy Bag, Black/White
• Amazon Business
$92.99
1
$92.99
Time Timer TTWB6-W Dry Erase Board
• Amazon Business
$13.28
5
$66.40
Time Timer Original 8 inch; 60 Minute Visual Analog Timer; Optional (On/Off) Alert; No Loud Ticking; Time Management Tool
• Amazon Business
$24.99
2
$49.98
Mockins 2 Pack Blue & Pink Inflatable Lounger Hangout Sofa With Travel Bag The Portable Inflatable Air Lounger Couch is perfect for Indoor And Outdoor Use For Camping Beach & Lake Or Pool … … … … … …
• Amazon Business
$44.99
1
$44.99
Pacific Play Tents Kids Galaxy Dome Tent w/Glow in the Dark Stars - 48" x 48" x 42"
• Amazon Business
$44.71
1
$44.71
InnoGear 200ml Essential Oil Diffuser Wood Grain Vase-Shaped Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Oil Diffusers with Adjustable Mist Mode Waterless Auto Shut-off Humidifier and 7 Color Changing LED Lights for Home
• Amazon Business
$18.99
2
$37.98
Sanho Premium Sensory Sock, Updated Version, Medium, 50" L x 24" W, Good for height:47"- 63" Blue
• Amazon Business
$31.98
1
$31.98
LEGO Classic Medium Creative Brick Box 10696
• Amazon Business
$27.99
1
$27.99
Danskin Weighted Toning Ball for Women, Medicine Ball, Exercise Weight Ball, Strength Training Ball, 10lbs
• Amazon Business
$24.99
1
$24.99
Kinetic Sand 2lbs Brown Sand
• Amazon Business
$14.95
1
$14.95
CanDo 10-1745 Economy Balance Board
• Amazon Business
$9.11
1
$9.11
Scalp Massager Tool (2-Pack) for a Rejuvenating Head Hair Scratcher Massage by LiBa. No Painful Scratches, Tangling, or Hair Pulling Wires w/ Gentle Rubber Beads.
• Amazon Business
$8.99
1
$8.99
Sooper Beads Water Beads Rainbow Mix, 8 oz (20,000 beads) for Orbeez Spa Refill, Sensory Toys and Décor
• Amazon Business
$5.95
1
$5.95
Materials cost
$964.19
Vendor shipping charges
FREE
Sales tax
$0.00
3rd party payment processing fee
$14.46
Fulfillment labor & materials
$30.00
Total project cost
$1,008.65
Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
$178.00
Total project goal
$1,186.65
How we calculate what's needed
Total project goal
$1,186.65
10 Donors
-$1,040.76
Donations toward project cost
-$898.15
Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms
-$142.61
match offer
-$130.00
Match offer toward project cost
-$110.50
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 Mrs. Mindiola and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.