The importance of creating areas of safety & comfort within homes & schools.
All children can benefit from the having the freedom to remove themselves to an area of safety when faced with emotions that are hard to process. For those children with developmental differences like autism & sensory integration disorder, the way the brain processes input from the outside world can be overwhelming. Often, these children may overreact to sensory stimuli. Other times, it may seem that they do not react appropriately enough. The result may manifest in inappropriate behavior—meltdowns, rocking, hand-flapping, or completely "zoning out."
Safe spaces & specifically designated sensory environments allow children in stress an area to decompress & develop coping mechanisms. So what can this look like in your home or classroom? Here are some simple ideas to incorporate into your daily environment.
SENSORY BINS. Fill containers with rice, sand, pasta, oatmeal, cut straws, or water. Rotate themed toys like pirates & treasure, construction, or farm animals to keep children engaged.
STUFFED ANIMALS, PILLOWS, WEIGHTED BLANKETS. It's all about security & comfort.
HEADPHONES, VIDEOS, MUSIC. Classical for some, animated movie classics for others. Learn what is soothing & familiar.
PUTTY, SLIME, MODELING CLAY.
Develop fine motor skills, release energy & allow the sensory/motor input to reduce stress.
BUBBLES! Blowing bubbles encourages deep breathing, thereby reducing stress.
SENSORY BOTTLES. Easy & inexpensive to make!
REMEMBER: Any place you can offer a child to regroup is a sanctuary. Though space may be limited, be creative. Use what's available—under a teacher's desk, in a pop-up tent or simply bean bags piled in the corner of a room. Create a space where children feel safe to take time & regroup.
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