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Make The Classroom More Neurodivergent and Sensory Friendly
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items Whether you're a teacher setting up a class space or a parent advocating for your child, being mindful about the classroom sensory experience can help everyone learn more effectively and create a positive learning environment for all, including those...
Sections
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Tips to Creating a Sensory Aware Space
Keep Class Clutter Contained
Furnishings That Are Fun & Functional
Crafting a Calm Down Corner
Tips to Creating a Sensory Aware Space
Some students might be sensory-seeking. Others, sensory-avoidant. Being mindful of this and setting up zones and special areas is a great way to accomodate both.
There are some great tips and resource links in this article.
A Place for All Students to Learn: 11 Tips for Building Sensory-Friendly Classrooms | Continental Educational Publisher
This is a great article from Teachers Pay Teachers, with links to some fabulous resources to create a sensory friendly classroom.
Setting Up Your Space: How to Create Sensory-Friendly Classrooms – The TPT Blog
Mindfulness, yoga practices, breathing exercises, and meditation are all great ways to improve focus and the ability to learn, whether a student is neurodivergent or not.
Mindfulness in the Classroom - Child Mind Institute
Keep Class Clutter Contained
Classrooms will inherently have the potential to get cluttered, which can be a sensory nightmare for some students. These resources help keep your classroom streamlined and decluttered.
Keeping a classroom thoughtfully organized can help to bring down overwhelm in students who have sensory challenges.
Calm Classroom Theme, Pastel Classroom Decor Bundle, Modern Calm Colors Classroom Decor, Classroom Decor Bundle Elementary, Calming Colors
Clear bins are great to keep supplies contained and organized while still keeping it visible and easy to find.
Bathroom Organizer Bin with Handles Clear - Brightroom™
This cute rolling cart has both bigger and smaller drawers to keep supplies tidy and mobile.
Giantex 15-Drawer Rolling Storage Cart
Setting expectations, including the time allotted for tasks, can help neurodivergent kiddos to keep their focus and reduce anxiety. I love my Time Timer, and this version with a built-in dry erase board is perfect for the classroom.
TIME TIMER MOD 60-Minute Visual Countdown
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Furnishings That Are Fun & Functional
Adding just a few key pieces to the classroom can make it so much more accessible for neurodivergent students.
For younger students, a sensory table can be the perfect play to explore and learn through play.
Mud Kitchen, Water Sand Table, Sensory Table, Ikea Flisat, Ikea Trofast, Activity Table for Kids, Outdoor Wooden Play Table,
Rethinking classroom seating has been at the forefront of making learning spaces more neurodivergent and sensory friendly.
32 of the Best Flexible Seating Options for Today's Classroom
The fidget-friendliness of a yoga ball with the stability of a chair, these are the perfect balance (pun intended).
Gaiam Kids Balance Ball Chair - Blue/Green
Flexibility is key when thinking through what kids might need to learn best. These supportive, cushioned floor chairs are great for multiple uses!
Flex-Space Washable Comfy Floor Seat
Wiggly feet meet their match with bouncy bands (and help some kids to focus).
Bouncyband Original Desk Bands, Black, 1-Pack
Having adjustable wiggle pads available to kids who might need the sensory input is an easy way to help neurodivergent kids focus.
Bouncyband® Big Wiggle Seat Sensory Cushion, Silver
Crafting a Calm Down Corner
More and more teachers are creating a sensory calming area in their classrooms, which is wonderful. Here are some great additions to this “calm down corner.”
This fun and twisty knot pillow has multiple ways that students can use it to create a soothing sensory hug on their arms.
Playlearn Cuddle Ball Sensory Pillow - Lilac
This weighted plush is the perfect size to snuggle with and get some needed proprioceptive pressure to help calm you.
Dinosaur Weighted Plush Kids' Throw Pillow Pink - Pillowfort™
This personalized banner lets your students know where they can head when they need to take a breath and quiet their mind.
Classroom Calm Down Corner Tapestry, Calm Down Corner Decor, SEL Decor, Boho Decor, Meditation Corner Classroom Decor, Classroom Banner
This printable poster bundle is perfect to have multiple options to teach kiddos anxiety and sensory calming skills.
30 Calming Corner Classroom Boho Calm Down Printable Decor Wall Art Social Emotional Self Regulation Poster Sign Feelings Chart Bundle Print
Stretchy compression can provide the proprioceptive feedback on joints that kids need to calm themselves.
Compression Band
Comfy with a bit of structure, this chair is the perfect calm down spot.
29" Malibu Lounge Bean Bag Chair - Posh Creations
This cool fidget is mesmerizing and a great way to relieve a bit of anxiety.
Multicolour Gear Ball Fidget Toy - 3D Printed Sensory Tool for ADHD and Stress | Large 8cm
A fun assortment of fidgets.
Amelie Gift Box of Fidgets - A Unique Gift of Silent, Squidgy & Clicky Fidgets
One of the most relaxing things in my neurodivergent arsenal is zoning out while watching bubbles cascade down in this bubble timer.
3 Pack Liquid Motion Bubbler Timer Fidget Toy
I love, love, love my Loop earplugs. For someone who has auditory sensory overload, they can make the difference between being able to engage with others and shutting down.
Loop Earplugs - Engage Kids 2
Another great sound reduction tool is muff style ear covering. Some people really like the additional pressure over their ears and find it soothing.
JLab JBuddies Protect Kids Ear Protection Ear Covers - Navy
These neat sensory boards serve as quiet sensory calmers. Definitely something you could craft on your own, but this Etsy shop has premade sets with rave reviews.
6-pack mini sensory boards (12"x9") Sensory board for autism. Small sensory boards for individual or classroom use.
Push the marble through the maze with this soft, soothing fidget that gives your brain a teeny workout while providing sensory input.
ADHD Sensory Toy Quiet Calm Corner Fidget for Stress Management Gift for Kid Anxiety Relief Soothing Activity Work Stress Fidget
It doesn't get much simpler than this textured sticker that leads you through calming breathing exercises.
Textured Sensory Sticker Inhale Exhale, Box Breathing | Waterproof | Fidget Sticker Calm Strips Anxiety | Inspiring Inserts