Sensory integration has become a hot topic among teachers, parents and administrators.  Children who have sensorimotor impairments are not "behavior problems" they do not need to change their behavior, teachers need to understand how the world feels to them.

Sensory integration issues impact learning in different ways. Children have a hard time processing information so they can plan and organize what they should be doing or learning. Some possible signs of sensory integration problems are:
Being overly sensitive to touch, movement, sights, and sounds
Being under-reactive to sensory stimulation
Having coordination problems
Having delayed speech and language
Having delays in motor skills
Having poor organization of behavior, easily distracted, exhibits frustration and aggression or withdraws.

If a child has sensory integration problems the child will not outgrow it. The longer the delay of helping the child the slower the treatment will work. The younger the child the more flexible and easier it is to influence the brain.

The following activities should be used with all children but they are especially important for children who have sensory challenges.
Water Play (sand and water table)
Water Painting (all types of brushes)
Fingerpainting (large paper and thick paint)
Shaving Cream (put it on the tables and encourage children to spread)
Feelie Box Hide small objects in a box and have children feel and respond
Oral activities tasting, licking
Cooking Activities stirring hand mixing, and tasting (lots of ideas on this site!)


---How to Manage Your Early Childhood Classroom Sensory Integration PLAY---

We all know how important it is to talk to your child or your students.  Remember children need to be taught how to speak in a complete sentences with vocabulary that is appropriate, and practicing pronouncing words is very important. I always wondered why children were not allowed to talk in the lunch room (besides the noise).  Chidren need to be able to talk and have that freedom.  They don't always get this free talk in the classroom.

Oral language practice is very important.  Some ways to practice oral language in your classroom or homes are:
1. Show and tell (make sure studetns stand up tall and speak in a loud voice and in complete sentences). This also helps the children listening to learn how to become and audience. 
2. No matter where you are, in the car, in the store, or waiting in line somewhere.  Ask your child questions, tell them what things are and what they do.  Let them me curious, it is part of their development.
3. After a topic is studied, allow students to have grand conversations or peer talks, the teacher is the monitor in this situation.
4. Have students do retelling, this can be done with a flannel board, or a story glove.
6. Singing
7. Students can make their own books on tape, and then listen to them.

Research shows that early oral language development helps with comprehension and successful reading in the future.

Good Monday Morning to you!
I hope everyone had a great weekend!
On my idea of the day, the turkey is such a cute treat to give at the Thanksgiving or fall party you have!  It is very simple to make and can even be put in a center!

Here is another fun idea to make with children that is easy and quick!

It's a spoon turkey. He doesn't have to be all done up with a bow tie and all, just fun feathers will work, you could also trace around your hand and cut it out and make that your feathers!  Have fun!

November 2nd Book Lovers Day!
November 6th is National Tongue Twister Day!
November 11th is Veterans Day
November 13th is World Kindness Day
November 17th is Homemade Bread day YUM!
November 23rd is World Listening Day, and it is actually the Thank Teachers!
Novembmer 28th Thanksgiving
November 29th Black Friday (my favorite :) )
There are many more that you can look up, but these may be some fun ones to celebrate in your classroom!

Colorful Changes
(Sung to "Are you Sleeping?")
Leaves change colors
Leaves change colors
In the fall,
In the fall,
Yellow, orange, red, brown
Leaves begin to fall down
To the ground,
Leaves Fall Down!