Does your child’s school have a sensory room set up? Would your young scholar benefit from time spent in this room? Let’s examine what makes a good sensory room for an elementary school.
- Safe and secure. The room should be safe and secure, with no hazardous objects or potential dangers for children. The room should be equipped with child-proof locks to prevent children from leaving the room without adult supervision.
- Sensory equipment. A variety of sensory equipment should be available, such as weighted blankets,
sensory swings, trampolines, therapy balls, sensory tables, bubble tubes, tactile surfaces, and sound and light systems. This equipment should be age-appropriate and provide a range of sensory experiences. - Calming colors. The color scheme of the sensory room should be calming and soothing, with soft and neutral colors such as blue, green and beige. Bright and contrasting colors can be overstimulating and may cause sensory overload.
- Noise reduction. The room should be designed to reduce noise levels, with sound-absorbing materials such as carpets, curtains, and acoustic panels. White noise machines or calming music can also help to create a peaceful environment.
- Visual stimulation. The room should have visual stimulation, such as calming images, pictures or videos that can be projected on the wall. This can help students to focus and reduce stress.
- Clear rules. Clear rules and guidelines should be established for the use of the sensory room. These should include expectations for behavior, length of stay, and adult supervision.
- Regular maintenance. Regular maintenance of the sensory room is essential to ensure that all equipment is functioning correctly, and the room is clean, safe, and comfortable for students.
- Training for staff. Staff members should be trained in the use of the sensory room and how to support students with sensory processing difficulties. This can include strategies for managing challenging behaviors and identifying triggers for sensory overload.
By providing a well-designed sensory room, elementary schools can create a safe and calming environment that helps students with sensory processing difficulties to regulate their emotions and improve their academic performance.
Ask your school counselor if this is available for your child!
The Children’s Guild’s schools all offer sensory support for their students. The Children’s Guild maintains a staff of educators as well as physical and mental health providers committed to SEED-ing growth in every child. Administration of Social, Emotional, Educational, and Developmental learning is how we demonstrate The Guild’s core values of respect, promise, and hope.
