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---
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---