We ALL have sensory systems, every single one of us! This is one of the many reasons why I am so passionate about classrooms being sensory friendly. While we of course have students with sensory processing disorder and other diagnosed needs that warrant extra attention towards sensory stimuli, a sensory friendly classroom benefits everyone! A sensory friendly classroom is a way that all students can more effectively process sights, sounds, and experiences in the classroom. It’s important to know that having a classroom that supports all of your students sensory needs isn’t another long and drawn out task, it’s actually super simple once you shift your mindset a bit. Here are some tried and true tips for helping your classroom become even just a little more sensory friendly.
Include movement in your lessons
Adding in exercise, movement, and stretches into your lessons creates a really healthy experience for all kids to get some energy out. Plus, moving around REALLY ups the student engagement! Research tells us that movement helps blood circulate back up to the brain so our students can continue learning optimally. Some of our sensory seekers need that additional physical input, and some of our sensory avoiders need to wake up their bodies a bit! What I love about this “intervention” is that it’s barely even an intervention. There’s no harm, no foul in getting your class on their feet and moving a little during the day.
Provide a calm place in the room
If you know me, you know I love a good calm corner! Having a space for students to retreat to that provides some calm from the overwhelm that can occur across the school day is a welcomed sensory friendly addition to all classrooms. Most of the hang up in the classroom can often be teachers feeling stressed about calm corners being misused. I totally get it! While there is no guarantee that a calm corner won’t be used for the wrong reasons, with the right discussions, boundaries, and modeling, it WILL be beneficial for your classroom. Read this blog post and to give yourself a confidence boost.
“A moment of patience in a moment of anger saves you a hundred moments of regret.”
Model coping skills
Visiting the calm corner as a teacher might throw your students for a loop, but it’s great modeling! Showing kids the power of a deep breath, a drink of water, or a visit to the calm space can help students see in real time how to attend to their individual sensory needs.
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.”
Allow students to sit or stand while learning
Or pace! Or rock! Shall I go on? I do realize this can be a distraction for some teachers, but with boundaries, I know we can all support students learning and sensory needs AND teach effectively. For some students, having a seating support can be SO helpful. This could be a wobble stool, a kick band, or a standing desk. I know the big road block here is often the cost. Have you tried Donors Choose? My classroom received thousands of dollars in donations from the generosity of others using this website. It’s worth a try!
Provide scheduled breaks for all kids
Having scheduled breaks is SO comforting for students. Allowing them to know that regardless of behavior, work completion, or other factors of the day, they will be getting breaks at scheduled times. While some students may need more breaks than other, having scheduled breaks for everyone is truly sensory friendly. Add these to the schedule so students know when they are coming in the day. This can allow you to say, “We have a break coming up next!” so students can know how to save their energy until they get a break.
Have sensory friendly tools readily available
When you teach kids how to use sensory tools appropriately and effectively, they can be so beneficial! Classrooms are emotional places, and every child goes on a rollercoaster of them every day. Having sensory tools available for all students as needed will allow for students to get their needs met wherever they are at that day. Sensory tools that work for each child will need to be varied. Some students need tactile help while others may respond to a stress ball. Vary your resources so students can all get what they need!
Prioritize routine
For students with sensory needs, knowing when breaks and movement activities are coming, or when the lights will be off for a video, or how long it is until lunch, will be especially crucial. Students can learn to pace themselves and determine where to put their energy depending on how their routine is presented. Schedules can be really grounding for children. Having a posted schedule may not feel like a safety measure, but for many students, schedules and routine help them feel safe!
“The brain won’t learn unless it feels secure.”
Be mindful of noise and lights
During certain activities, noise might be louder or softer, and lights might be dim or bright. Announcements and alarms may go off, walkie talkies might start beeping. Many students will not be distracted or sensitive to these experiences, and many will be. Be mindful of this and take note. Things like noise cancelling head phones, light filters, social scripts, and visual/verbal warnings can help. Having visuals available to alert students of their options during times they might feel sensitive can be helpful!
Offer multiple ways of accessing assignments
Differentiating ways for students to show their knowledge is a sensory friendly way to assess! Allowing for verbal, receptive, written, media-based, art focused (etc) means of sharing knowledge can be so powerful. This might feel like a lot of extra work as a teacher. Think of this as an opportunity to really highlight student choice. If you give students the opportunity to think about a way they may want to present their knowledge, you can then take their ideas and suggestions and use them as your springboard.
What makes your classroom sensory friendly?
