Help me give my students and all the students at my school a Sensory Path to allow us opportunities for sensory input to help increase focus and engagement!
We are part of a school with a mission statement to "challenge myself, show respect, encourage others, and take pride in my community because it starts with me," we truly embrace challenges and support our students. As an Occupational Therapist, I am privileged to work with these students on developing and refining their fine and gross motor skills, as well as focusing on social skills and sensory regulation. The majority of the students I work with come from low-income families and do not have resources available to them to assist with their educational needs. They might come to school hungry, tired, and dirty...but they are eager to learn and work hard!
My Project
Sometimes kids just need a brain break. When students become overstimulated, they cannot focus. Students may exhibit increased behaviors, withdraw from adults or peers, or find it more difficult to engage with their peers in the classroom. We are hoping to add the requested "Original Sensory Path" to our building to allow all students the opportunity to use movement and physical activity as a tool to release built-up energy in order to increase their focus as well as increase their motor coordination.
Research shows that sensory play and activities can help develop important skills such as gross and fine motor, language development, increased retention of information, body awareness, balance, and spatial orientation.
Bright and colorful, the path would be adult-supervised and utilized by all students during transitions, inclement weather, or as movement breaks for those needing sensory stimulation throughout the day.
The sensory path would include movement and learning in the form of vinyl floor activities such as skipping, hopping, and jumping. It would also assist students with learning to follow directions in the correct sequence...all great skills for every preschooler!
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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. Klausing and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.