My students need different seating options such as the cozy lounger and vibrating pillows to help them calm down in a quiet area when upset/anxious. The fidgets will allow them to explore using their senses.
The preschool special education students and Head Start Students in our program come from a variety of economic backgrounds with over 54% of students at the school receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Our school system is one of the most ethnically diverse school systems in Virginia. Students come from homes where families speak a multitude of languages including English, Spanish, Korean, Farsi, Arabic, Hindi, Pashtu, Urdu, Mandarin and much more.
My students are diverse learners who are 2-5 years old.
Most have limited language skills in addition other disabilities including down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, developmental delays and medically fragile children. The children love to learn through play, dance and movement. Many of the children have sensory needs that are not able to be addressed due to lack of funding.
My Project
My students are early learners, ages 2-5, with special needs. They all learn in a variety of ways. Having the alternate seating such as the Cozy Lounger, Bumpy Vibrating Pillow and Vibrating Soccer Pillow, for those times when things are overstimulating, will allow my students to participate fully in the program by giving them a place to take a short break and regroup. While relaxing they may also choose to watch one of the Sensory Liquid Bottles to calm down. Some of my children just need a break from their work and play, so they may choose to relax with a Sensory Liquid Bottle or The Sound and Sort Stackers which aids in the need for visual or auditory input.
The fidgets, including Mini Pushpathz, Caterpinch, and the Rappersnappers that I chose are ones that will strengthen my students' hands to help them prepare for fine motor tasks including building with LEGO bricks, pouring, cutting, pinching and rolling play dough, stringing beads and opening containers.
As they gain muscle strength this in turn will help them be more independent throughout the day as they will be able to snap and unsnap pants for independence in the bathroom, prepare their lunch by opening plastic bags and containers and buttoning and zipping their backpacks and coats.
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