What is Sensory Integration?
Sensory integration is the they way that we receive information through our senses, organize the information, and then use it to navigate everyday activities.
We all use our senses to navigate through our day. How we gain understanding of everything is controled by how we make observations through using our senses.
Did you know there are actually 7 senses?
That’s right!
We are all familiar with our 5 senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. It is through these senses that we can draw conclusions about what is happening in our day, how we feel and react, and how we learn.
But there are actually two other senses that many do not know about or understand.
- Vistibular Sense: the sense of movement and balance. This helps us to know where we are in space.
- Propioception: the sense of body awareness. This is how we sense where we are in realtion to other people and things around us.
These two senses provide information to your brain about your body’s position in relation to your environment (which direction you are facing and how close you are to things around you). The proprioceptive system tells you how much effort being used to move your body (speed, pressure, how hard you press down on your pencil).
Healthy and well-functioning vestibular and proprioceptive systems are important for learning, just like the other five senses.
Did you ever know a student that would chew their pencil or chew the eraser off their pencil?
How about that student whose shirt is soaking wet from chewing or sucking on it?
Do you know someone that constantly taps the tables, clicks their clipboard, and makes noises when they’re thinking?
Do you have students that are always rocking or wiggling when they talk or falling out of their chair?
I personally find that when I read out loud or even whisper read, I am able to stay focused better.
Have you ever met an adult that repeats what you are saying so they can process the information mentally?
We all use our senses every day for learning, processing, thinking, and interpreting the world around us.
Why use sensory integration in our classrooms?
Think of the students in your class right now. What types of sensory needs do the kids in your class require for optimal learning? Many teachers think that Sensory Integration (Sensory Diet) is only for students that have sensory disorders. The truth is…
We all have different sensory needs.
When preparing your learning space, classroom instruction, transitions, procedures, routines, and centers you must consider integrating different sensory needs to promote success for your students.
We must understand the needs of our age group as well as individual learning styles.
Providing a sensory filled learning environment will foster learning for all students.
In the past decade educators have found the value in differentiation of learning styles. Sensory integration basically does the same, providing the sensory needs of a variety of students who learn in a variety of ways.
Strategies for implementing sensory integration into your classroom.
Classroom Space
The classroom design should be organized and tidy. The walls should not be overly stimulating. Visual displays should foster and environment that calming and focused. Picture schedules help to provide students with and organized plan for their day.
Yoga Balls
Allowing students to sit on yoga balls at their desk helps to maintain balance and focus. However, some students cannot handle using an inflatable ball as a chair. For some students the ball becomes a distraction. With sensory needs being diverse, it’s important to understand your students needs. Many times trial and error will help to determine this.
Sit Spots- MY VERY FAVORITE TOOL FOR SPACIAL AWARENESS
These little velcro spots will help give your students a spot to sit. They can be used in so many ways and there are so many different colors and skills available. Sit spots can be used on the rug to show students where to sit. They can be used in the shape of a circle (we all know how difficult it is for kids to form a circle), and they can be used to show students where to line up.
One of my favorite teachers chose one color to be a visual marker for when she asks her students to spread out. They each find a spot and they are ready to learn.
Transitions
Transitions are a prime time for sensory overload. Here are a few suggestions teachers may use to support a child during transition times. This may include moving to a new area, getting out new materials, lining up, etc.
- Provide constant cues about upcoming transitions (verbally, musically, visually). Announce when they have 5 minutes until transitioning, 3 minutes, 1 minute, and you can even count down, getting quieter as you get to the final second.
- Transition Music- There are many different types of transition music. You can purchase songs that have the purpose of helping students transition from one activity to another. For example: I used to use a song that was 2 min. Long, started slow and gradually increased in speed as the students were running out of time. This allows the students to feel that their time is almost up. Transition music can be soft and calm to lead into a lesson where the students will need to be focused, or it can be upbeat preparing them to move and get their wiggles out. I personally think that purchasing a set of transition music that varies in purpose is one of the best sensory integration tools that you can integrate into your classroom
- Ensure routine and consistency- provide picture schedule, have a consistent daily schedule and/or routine.
- Use visual timers- There are many different types of visual timers. You can see different types by clicking here.
- Change the view of classroom to help children organize that change is about to happen (play light music, dim lights, sing)
- Keep lights dim throughout transition
- Classroom Lighting- Adjusting the lights is another way to foster learning through our senses. When you train your students to know what the different light effects mean. For example dimming the light may mean that you are going to make a special announcement. You make up the rules for this and train your students accordingly. If your lights have a dimmer switch you can get even more creative!
Volume Control
Noise can be very overwhelming for many students. For this reason, it is important to determine noise levels in your classrooms. Give your students specific noise levels for specific activities.
Another method is to simply give each level a number 1-10. No matter how you do it, be consistent! Teach your student what the noise level is for each part of your day and for each location they will going to.
- Seat Work=Volume 0
- Partner Activities= volume 1 or 2 (whisper or soft spoken voice)
- Centers=2 or 3 (loud enough for your group to hear you but quiet enough that other groups do not hear you)
- Presenting= volume 5 good speaking voice or teacher voice
- You can also help your students plan for success with volume control in other parts of their school day by designating volume controls for the cafeteria, library, recess, hallway, etc.
- Change volume of noise- Use your voice to direct the students attention to where you want it. Teach the students to repeat you in the same style and volume of voice that you are instructing them.
Spacial Awareness
Teach your students about personal space. Understand that even after you teach them, you must still provide reminders, visuals, and other tools to help them learn to feel and sense what they are doing with their bodies in relation to the classroom and others in it.
- Provide children with an actual line of tape for line up.
- Carpet Squares or space markers for sitting on the rug
- Hoola Hoops- hoola hoops are a perfect visual for allowing the appropriate amount of space between you and other objects.
- Tape line- if you students sit at tables you can use tape to show their personal work space. I’ve tried different types of tape. Click here to see my favorite by far. This tape is colorful and thin! It stays on, but isn’t too hard to get off!
- Sit Spots are my personal favorite. This company will typically send you a set to try if your school district is considering making a purchase. You can learn more about them and/or purchase them here.
Music and Dance
Incorporating music and dances into your lesson can promote learning and attention. Keep your students moving! When you move your body, oxygen is sent to your muscles making your brain more alert. Movement also helps with memory. Go Noodle is a great website and app that offers movement for transitioning into a new topic and/or learning different skills.
Pencil variety
Students can use different styles of pencil grips, pencil sizes, and pencil shapes. Whatever supports their individual needs. My favorite pencil is a golf course pencil. Oftentimes a shortened pencil will improve young students’ handwriting. The shorter size gives the student more control of the writing tool. Triangle shaped pencils often promote proper pencil grip. Pencil grips can also be a tool that can promote better handwriting.
Smelly Markers
Who doesn’t love to use a smelly marker. Smells can promote memory.
Have you ever smelled something that took you right back to a time when you frequently experience that specific smell? For me there is a certain lotion that takes me right back to my high school days. The smell of pot roast takes me back to my moms house! Even if smells do not work this way for you, they are still a fun sensory tool that will motivate kids to complete a task and learn!
There are many different scented learning tools out there that will be sure to motivate your students and promote learning in your classroom.
Sensory Bins
Sensory bins promote tactile learning. This gives the students a chance to dig, explore, communicate, and learn. Running your hands through sand, cotton balls, shredded paper, etc. can be calming. Trust me, even the adults that visit our room can’t keep their hands out of the sensory bins. Students have a learning through play at the sensory bin. They are relaxed and having fun when they are at this center. Sensory bins provide a rich sensory experience that promotes learning. My favorite sensory bin ideas have come from my favorite teacher blog A Differentiated Kindergarten. Check out her sensory bin units here.
Fidgets
Some kids just need to move their hands. Allowing students to hold a stress ball or push and pull a snap cube may help them to focus while not distracting others. Finding the right fidget for your student is the tricky part. You may have to try a few before you find the one that works.
Gum
Chewing gum can help students focus. When you tell your class that they can chew gum to help them focus on their learning, it both motivates and soothes them. I must add, you will need to place some rules on gum chewing. I’ve always told mine that if the gum is out of their mouth it disappears! It can also be fun to have a moment or two after the focused time is over to try to blow bubbles! Just for fun!
Cozy Corner, Relaxation Station, etc.
This is a space where students can relax and/or unwind from stress or anxiety. In kindergarten it can also be a place to rest. Some kids don’t have stamina to make it through an entire day. This can be a place for a short rest.
This space should never be used for punishment. The child should view the area as a safe spot and use it when he/she needs a “break.” This area should encourage the child to manage his state of mind by simply removing him from the sensory overload he/she is experiencing.
We all learn through accessing information that our brains process from using our senses! Be intentional about planning for integrating sensory into your day!
Use this table to find out how you are doing with Sensory Integration in your classroom.
Fill out the chart with what you already do in your classroom that fosters an environment for learning. Then fill in the blank areas with new ideas!
Did you find that your classroom has really great Sensory Integration? Comment below to share your best ideas!
Is there an area that your classroom is lacking? Comment below so that I can help you brainstorm ways integrate. I’d love to write a specific post that would help you out! Just let me know how I can best help you.
Sensory Integration can “BE THEIR DIFFERENCE” in learning!