When you drive late at night and get sleepy, do you shake your head or turn up the music or chew gum or eat salty chips or drink coffee to help stay awake. "Whatever it takes" is different for each of us because we all have different sensory needs. Using the senses to learn is something we all know is important but it is more than good vision and hearing.

In the classroom you can teach your students to use movement, taste and touch to either alert or calm their bodies. Students love learning what works for them and it is a fun exercise to do with students at any grade. Your body has many tools that you can learn to use to pay better attention, calm yourself in stressful situations, or wake up your body when it is time to work. Having a quick snack or a movement break or allowing gum in the classroom will all make sense to your teaching team when you see the positive outcomes of sensory stimulation for your student (and you). Know you know why candy jars are a must on a teacher's desk.

Mouth Tools

• Alerting - Cold, sour/tart, spicy, minty or crunchy

• Calming - Warm, smooth or sweet

Hand Tools

• Small hand toys can help relieve stress and promote concentration (e.g., worry beads, fidget toy)
  

• Hard or squishy, textured or smooth - let students try a few to find the one that works for them

Eye Tools

• Alerting - Bright lighting, vivid colors, artwork/projects hanging from the ceiling
  

• Calming - dim lighting, subtle colors, plain walls

Ear Tools

• Alerting - Un-rhythmical, short, loud or novel sounds
  

• Calming - rhythmical, long duration, quiet or familiar sounds

Nose Tools

• Alerting - Citrus, pine, or peppermint scents
  

• Calming - Vanilla, banana, and coconut scents
  Allergy alert! Be aware that allergies may prevent you from using scents in your classroom.

Movement Tools

• Alerting - Up and down, fast, or un-rhythmical movements
  

• Calming - Back and forth, slow, or rhythmical movements

Muscle Tools

• Lifting, pushing, or weight bearing activities can be calming or alerting to the nervous system. What is your student like after gym or recess? When in doubt about what to do have the student perform a "Heavy Job" to ground the nervous system.

CHECK OUT THE CLASSROOM
SENSORY KITS AVAILABLE AT PREP

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