The Importance of Sensory Play for Children with Special Needs
Are you looking for ways to enhance your child’s learning and development? If your child has special needs, sensory play can be an effective tool to help them learn and grow. Sensory play involves using different materials and textures to stimulate the senses, which can be especially beneficial for children with sensory processing disorders, developmental delays, and autism spectrum disorders.
At DPS, we understand the importance of sensory play for children with special needs. That’s why we offer a variety of sensory tools and toys that are specifically designed to promote learning and development. From weighted blankets to sensory tables, our tools and toys are designed to engage the senses and provide opportunities for exploration and creativity.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of our most popular sensory tools and toys and explore their benefits for children with special needs. We’ll also show you how you can make your own DIY sensory tools and toys at home using common household items. Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator, we hope this article will inspire you to explore the many benefits of sensory play and find new ways to enhance your child’s learning and development.
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets are a great tool for providing calming, deep touch pressure to children with special needs and can help improve focus levels. They work by providing the user with a grounded sensory experience, providing a feeling of security and calm. This can be especially beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, or anxiety.
Weighted blankets are designed to be both comfortable and heavy, typically ranging from four to twenty-five pounds. The weight of the blanket creates a gentle, comforting pressure that encourages proprioceptive input and relaxation. This can help soothe anxiety and improve focus as it increases serotonin and dopamine levels. It can also help reduce restlessness and fidgeting, allowing the user to stay calm and concentrated.
DPS classrooms have utilized weighted blankets to provide comfort and stability to children during difficult transitions or activities. For example, one teacher provided each of her students with a five-pound weighted blanket during circle time to help them stay focused and relaxed. Another teacher used weighted blankets while her students were taking tests; this allowed them to stay calm and comfortable while concentrating on their work.
Weighted blankets have been proven to be incredibly effective for providing comfort and stability to children with special needs. The deep pressure created by the weight of the blanket helps stimulate the brain to produce serotonin and dopamine, which can help calm anxiety and improve focus levels. DPS classrooms have already started implementing weighted blankets in their classrooms, allowing children with special needs to stay focused and relaxed during challenging activities.
Fidget Toys
Fidget toys have become increasingly popular for helping children with special needs stay focused and reduce stress. Fidgeting is a natural way for people to self-soothe and redirect their energy, allowing them to better control their impulses and emotions. Fidget toys provide an outlet for those who need movement to concentrate, while also providing sensory input that has been proven to be beneficial for those with special needs.
Fidget toys can help increase attention span and reduce stress levels in children with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, and anxiety disorders. These toys provide tactile input which can help children stay focused on tasks and maintain their attention span. Fidgeting also helps to relieve stress and produce endorphins, which can help to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Fidgeting can be used as a self-regulation tool to help children control their emotions, allowing them to work through difficult tasks in a more calming manner.
In DPS classrooms, fidget toys are used as part of the curriculum to help support the individual needs of each student. Examples of these toys include spinners, squeeze balls, and putty tools. They vary in size, texture, and color, providing different types of sensory input for children to explore. These tools are often incorporated into activities such as motor skill development, matching games, and cognitive exercises.
Another useful item is the QuTZ Toddler Educational Learning Toy. This toy includes a number of sensory components such as colorful shapes and buttons that light up when pressed. It also features several games designed to encourage learning through exploration and interaction. The Bosch BMI270 IMU sensor provides feedback on movement and position, making it ideal for use in physical therapy exercises.
The Made By Us Sensory Worm and Snake are great options for those looking for an inexpensive toy that can easily fit into a pocket or purse. The Sensory Worm is filled with natural lavender seeds that offer calming benefits while the Sensory Snake is designed to provide tactile stimulation as well as encourage imaginative play.
In conclusion, fidget toys are powerful tools that can help children with special needs increase their attention span, reduce stress levels, and improve their overall wellbeing. DPS classrooms have incorporated these items into their curriculums as part of their effort to meet the individual needs of each student. With the wide variety of fidget toys available today, both in stores and online, parents and caregivers will have no problem finding the perfect tool for their child’s special needs.
Tactile Balls
Tactile balls are an important sensory tool that can help children with special needs develop their fine motor skills and sensory awareness. These tactile balls are designed to engage multiple senses at once, and can help children with sensory integration issues, developmental delays, and other special needs. Tactile balls can also be used to provide input to help children focus and learn.
Tactile balls come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. Some common materials used to make these tactile balls include foam, rubber, sand, and fabric. They provide tactile input when touched and also allow for physical manipulation. They can be squeezed, squished, rolled, or thrown, allowing a child to explore their environment in a safe and engaging way. Additionally, tactile balls can be weighted for extra sensory input and calming effects.
The benefits of tactile balls for children with special needs are numerous. They provide the opportunity for sensory exploration and integration, boosting motor planning skills and physical strength. Tactile balls also help with calming and self-regulation, as well as reinforcing positive behavior. They can be used as an effective tool for teaching new skills, such as counting or counting by twos. As a reward, they can be used to reinforce desired behaviors or tasks that were successfully completed.
Denver Public Schools (DPS) recognizes the importance of sensory play in a child’s development. That is why DPS has incorporated tactile balls into their classrooms as a way to provide children with special needs with sensory input and enrichment activities. For example, teachers have used tactile balls in the classroom to help children focus and better understand math concepts. They also use them to help children practice fine motor skills through games such as rolling the ball back and forth or tossing it into a cup. In addition, tactile balls are also used in physical therapy sessions to help strengthen muscles or improve coordination and balance.
Tactile balls are an effective way to promote exploration and learning for children with special needs. With the wide variety of textures available, they offer an effective way for children to receive the necessary sensory input without being overly stimulating or overwhelming. By incorporating tactile balls into their learning environments, DPS is helping to ensure that all students have access to the tools they need to succeed academically as well as socially.
Sensory Tables
Sensory tables are a great way to promote exploration and creativity while also helping children with special needs to develop cognitive and social skills. These tables provide a safe space for children to explore different materials, such as water, sand, foam, and other items that stimulate their senses. With sensory tables, children are able to experiment and use their imaginations to create different experiences. This type of play can be especially beneficial for children with special needs who may have difficulty engaging in social activities or understanding the concept of cause and effect.
Sensory tables can benefit children with special needs in multiple ways. For those with visual impairments, sensory tables can provide a tactile learning experience by allowing them to explore different textures and materials. Sensory tables also provide a calming environment for children with autism spectrum disorders as they can help reduce anxiety and hyperactivity. Additionally, sensory tables help to improve motor skills, enhance problem-solving skills, and encourage communication.
The Denver Public Schools (DPS) has implemented sensory tables in some classrooms to help students with special needs learn in a more engaging way. For example, one classroom has a wooden table with a built-in sensory tray that contains rice, stones, and shells to explore. Another DPS classroom has a sand and water table with an array of objects such as colorful watering cans, cups, shovels, and sieves that can be used in various ways. In addition, teachers have been using sensory tables to help children focus on specific tasks by providing fun activities that involve sorting items into containers or making patterns with the objects in the table.
By providing sensory tables in the classroom, DPS is helping children with special needs learn more effectively and develop important skills in a more engaging way. These tools can not only provide educational benefits but also help make learning more enjoyable for these students.
Sensory Paths
Sensory paths can be a great tool for introducing children with special needs to movement, balance, and sensory input. These paths provide a safe and stimulating environment for children to explore and develop their physical, cognitive, and social skills. By providing a variety of sensations and textures in an organized manner, sensory paths can help children engage their senses and connect with the world around them.
Sensory paths can be an especially beneficial tool for children with ADHD and sensory processing disorders. For those who struggle with hyperactivity and impulsivity, the structured tasks required for completing a sensory path can help to provide an outlet for energy. For those who have difficulty interpreting sensory information, the organized layout of a sensory path can give them the opportunity to practice recognizing and responding to different stimuli. Furthermore, sensory paths can also help children develop their gross motor skills as they move through the designated path.
In DPS classrooms, teachers often incorporate sensory paths into their lesson plans to provide students with additional opportunities to learn and explore. For example, teachers might create a sensory path using items such as hula hoops, bowling pins, bean bags, bubble wrap, foam cubes, or even cardboard bricks. Each item provides a different sensation that students can interact with as they move through the path. By making these items interactive, teachers can challenge students’ abilities to think creatively about how to complete each task. Additionally, teachers might also add verbal or written prompts to help students understand what is expected of them.
By incorporating sensory paths into educational settings, teachers can provide children with special needs with additional opportunities to engage with their senses and develop important skills. With a structured task-based approach, these paths can help students to focus their energy and practice important skills such as balance and coordination. Furthermore, these paths can also serve as a fun and engaging way for students to explore different textures and sensations in a safe and controlled environment.
DIY Sensory Tools and Toys
DIY sensory tools and toys are a great way to bring the benefits of sensory play into the home, while saving time and money. With some basic materials and a bit of creativity, parents and caregivers can create custom items that meet their child’s needs. There are countless options for DIY sensory tools and toys, from simple items like cardboard boxes filled with different objects to complex items like light tables with rotating components.
For those looking for activities that are both affordable and effective, homemade sensory tools and toys provide a great option. Using everyday items that can be found around the house, such as playdough, foam, and textured fabrics, parents and caregivers can create custom items that are tailored to their child’s specific needs. This allows for more customization options than what is available with store-bought items and gives parents an opportunity to experiment with different materials and textures to find what works best for their child.
DIY sensory tools and toys also provide cost-effectiveness, as supplies such as foam, fabric, paint, and glue are relatively inexpensive. Creating a variety of sensory tools and toys at home allows parents to have a larger selection of items without spending a lot of money on buying them all separately. Additionally, homemade tools can be easily replaced when they break or need to be cleaned.
At DPS schools, teachers often use DIY sensory tools and toys in the classroom to provide hands-on learning experiences for students with special needs. From tactile balls filled with rice or beads to weighted blankets made from fabric scraps, these homemade items can be easily adapted for individual students or groups of students depending on their needs. They also provide an opportunity for students to participate in creative problem-solving tasks as they work together to come up with creative solutions to challenges presented by the activity.
Making DIY sensory tools and toys is a great way for parents and caregivers to provide engaging activities for children with special needs while saving time and money. From simple items like rice-filled water bottles to complex creations like light tables with interactive components, these homemade items offer endless possibilities for exploration and learning. With some basic materials and creativity, parents can create customized items that meet their child’s unique needs while providing an engaging experience that is both cost-effective and fun.
Enhancing Learning and Development with DPS Sensory Tools and Toys
Enhancing Learning and Development with DPS Sensory Tools and Toys
Sensory play is an essential component of learning and development for children with special needs, and DPS sensory tools and toys provide an excellent opportunity for children to explore their senses in a safe and controlled environment. From weighted blankets and fidget toys to tactile balls and sensory tables, there are many options available to suit the needs of every child.
By incorporating these tools into the learning environment, children with special needs can benefit from improved focus, reduced stress, and increased sensory awareness. DIY options also offer a cost-effective way to customize tools to meet each child’s specific needs.
As parents, caregivers, and educators, it is important to explore sensory play options for children with special needs and find the tools that work best for their individual requirements. With DPS sensory tools and toys, children can enjoy a fun and engaging learning experience that promotes cognitive, social, and physical development.
So why wait? Start exploring the world of sensory play today and discover the amazing benefits that DPS sensory tools and toys have to offer.
Related:
Sensory Socks
Tips for weighted blankets
The immediate effects of deep pressure on young people with autism