Toys are Tools for Learning Social Skills in Behavioral Classrooms
My students need various toys, like Legos and Magna tiles for practicing social skills during free choice. The most expensive items are for taking calming breaks, such as the foam carpet and pillows.
The students I teach are sent to my social-emotional skills program after their home school has tried "everything." My students are 3rd-4th graders who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Specific Learning Disabilities, and are often severely trauma impacted. Our students have extremely challenging situations due to their disabilities, both inside and outside the classroom. It is difficult for our students to come to school and access education when competing with other internal and external forces; such as sensory processing needs, hunger, side effects from medication, etc. It is the hope and overall goal to aid these students in their lagging skills and get them back to where they need to be.
My Project
Legos, Magna tiles, and a marble run might seem like toys to most people, but for my students they are tools. In the safety of our classroom when playing with other students these toys are directly aligned to practicing actual social skills and problem-solving. For my students having appropriate peer interactions, is a challenge way above doing multiplication tables or independent reading.
My project involves giving students an opportunity through play to allow them to grow in frustration tolerance, flexibility, and problem-solving.
My project also allows for my students to work on lagging skills in other ways through various materials, such as creating a “chill-out” zone in our classroom by adding throw pillows, a comfy-rug, and mural for students to have a spot to go to when they need space to regulate themselves.
This being my first year in the behavior classroom and working with this many students with Autism Spectrum Disorder at once; we do not have many “toys” or a space for students to de-escalate in the classroom leaving a lot of frustration when students become bored or need to go to a quieter area for a sensory break. The carpet I am requesting for my students will be great for my students who self-harm and have violent tantrums. The materials purchased will help us to have the tools to work and play as a group and as individuals. This is an opportunity to support and foster relationships among students and staff, and more importantly an opportunity for us to grow as a community.
Stylish Coral Velvet Mat, V-mix Handmade weaving Plush Foam Play Crawling mat for Baby, Toddler, and Children Play Mat, Yoga Mat, Exercise Mat-Cushy- Soft & Thick Hypoallergenic, Non-toxic, Reversible
• Amazon Business
$109.99
1
$109.99
2-N-1 Activity Table with Green LEGO Compatible Top - RTA
• Amazon Business
$76.21
1
$76.21
Magna-Tiles Clear Colors 32 Piece Set
• Amazon Business
$49.99
1
$49.99
WITKA 200 Pieces Magnetic Building Block Toys, Children Intelligence Learning Toys and Brain Training Set for Kids and Adults
• Amazon Business
$39.99
1
$39.99
Marble Run Toy - Meland 122 Pcs Marble Game STEM Learning Toy, Educational Construction Building Blocks Toy, Marble Set Gift for Kids 4 5 6 + Year Old Boys Girls
• Amazon Business
$37.99
1
$37.99
Kavalan 2-in-1 6 Port USB Charging Station for Multiple Devices + Removable 60W USB Type A/Type C Charger Hub, Universal USB Charging Dock Organizer for iPhone, iPad, Tablet and more (White)
• Amazon Business
$30.25
1
$30.25
HYSEAS 3D Digital Print Comfort Foam Throw Pillow for Home Decoration, Stump
• Amazon Business
$12.99
2
$25.98
Crystal Springs Books Place Value Disks (1-3) 140 Disks, 35 for Each 4 Values, Singapore Math (402647)
• Amazon Business
$23.77
1
$23.77
400 Piece Wheels, Tires, and Axels Set - Building Brick Compatible Play Kit
• Amazon Business
$19.99
1
$19.99
HYSEAS 3D Digital Print Comfort Foam Throw Pillow for Home Decoration, Kiwi
• Amazon Business
$9.99
2
$19.98
HYSEAS 3D Digital Print Comfort Foam Throw Pillow for Home Decoration, Orange
• Amazon Business
$9.99
2
$19.98
HYSEAS 3D Digital Print Comfort Foam Throw Pillow for Home Decoration, Watermelon
• Amazon Business
$9.99
2
$19.98
Emotionlite Ocean Wave Projector Night Light with Built-in Mini Relaxing Music Speaker and Remote Control 12 LED &7 Colors Changing Modes for Kids Adult Living Room and Bedroom (Black)
• Amazon Business
$19.97
1
$19.97
Guided Reading Strips Asst. Set of 7 (Colored Overlays)
• Amazon Business
$7.59
2
$15.18
Marbled Slime- Cups - Galaxy Slime - 6 Pack Colorful Sludge Great Toy For Any Child Favor, Gift, Birthday – By Kidsco
• Amazon Business
$14.59
1
$14.59
Smart-Fab 1U382401820 Disposable Craft Fabric, 24" x 18' Roll, Black, Perfect for Schools, Classrooms, Crafts, Art, Bulletin Boards, Sew, Draw, Paint it, Unique Non Woven Material
• Amazon Business
$13.85
1
$13.85
Forest Starry Tapestry Wall Hanging 3D Printing Forest Tapestry Galaxy Tapestry Forest Milky Way Tapestry Tree Tapestry Night Sky Tapestry Wall Tapestry for Dorm Living Room Bedroom (M, 4#forest star)
• Amazon Business
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