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Meeting Sensory Needs Thompson 0513 PDF
Meeting Sensory Needs Thompson 0513 PDF
in Early
Childhood:
The What,
Why, and
How of
Differentiated
Approaches
Stacy D. Thompson
and Jill M. Raisor
S
Slinkys.
ensory processing refers to tak- their bodies (Ayres 2005). A childs ability to use
ing in information through the sens- this information to respond appropriately to the
A study guide for
2, 3
able online at
www.naeyc.org/ the information coming in from integration (Lynch & Simpson 2004). Sensory
member. their environment along with sensations from integration is the part of [sensory processing] in
registration complete tasks. Try using brighter lighting to stimulation. Teachers can introduce numerous hands-on
help him stay focused. Highlight important information in manipulativessuch as clothespins, stones, or small pom-
notes, handouts, and assignments to help him accomplish pomsto support the childs learning. Allow him special
tasks. Provide breaks that require movement, such as taking considerations, such as moving freely about the classroom.
attendance or delivering a note to the office. Instead of having him raise his hand to get a fidget object
Sensory sensitivity. Consistency in the day-to-day like a foam or squishy ball and interrupt the class, let him
neurological threshold n Seeks out sensory experiences: visual, auditory, tactile, and vestibular
stimulation
Sensation avoiding
n Is very sensitive to stimuli
Engages in behaviors to avoid over-
n Clings to routines; has difficulty with transitions and changes
stimulation due to low neurological
threshold n Has difficulty engaging in novel experiences
know that he can help himself to one when he needs it. This to each change. Watch for signs of overstimulation, such as
allows the child to receive the stimulation he needs without covering her ears or starting to retreat from participation,
interrupting the class. Create additional sensory experi- and intervene before she reaches a point where she cannot
ences by assigning him classroom tasks such as collecting control her behavior. If she becomes overstimulated, offer
art supplies, helping clean the tables, and being in charge of a quiet place to calm down while keeping her under adult
the pencils or the lunch count, so he can receive the needed supervision. Provide opportunities for calming move-
stimulation. ment activitiessuch as playing with damp, heavy sand,
Sensation avoiding. A child who is sensation avoiding walking uphill, or squeezing fidget toysthat balance the
will quickly reach her capacity to handle stimuli and might childs sensory input while regulating her individual needs
shut down shortly afterward. For example, changes in the throughout the day. These activities may help her concen-
routine disturb her, and when there is change she might trate and lower her stress levels.
seem uncooperative. To be successful in the classroom
she requires surety and stability, or she might avoid the
situation. It is important for teachers to respect the childs Conclusion
feelings and yet encourage her to be involved in classroom All children have neurological processes that help them
activities. This can be done by carefully constructing organize information and respond to their environment. The
events and introducing changes, such as new activities, way in which each child responds to this sensory information
slowly, one at a time, and allowing the child time to adjust is related to sensory integration (Lynch & Simpson 2004).
institute sponsors
platinum
gold
silver
n Keep children alert by let- n Monitor your volume and n Give children active jobs, n Monitor your voice and
ting them know that adults speed of talking and your such as taking notes to the your activity level to avoid
are nearby. activity level. office, erasing the board, overwhelming them.
and helping arrange the
desks.
n Make eye contact when n Avoid strong scents, such n Maintain predictable
talking to children, and as perfumes, lotions, and routines.
wait for their responses room sprays. n Encourage friendships
after asking questions. with peers who are physi-
cally active and can help n Post an overview of the
n Maintain predictable direct these childrens days schedule to let chil-
n Vary your voice level and routines. energy into purposeful dren know what to expect.
facial expressions to help activities.
these children stay alert.
n Provide short breaks, such n Give children time and
as using the bathroom, n Let children stand, move, space to recover when
n Encourage children to stretching, or going to the and pace around in the they feel overwhelmed.
work in groups. They may library, to help prevent classroom. Have them sit
need extra encourage- sensory overload. on an exercise ball while
ment to socialize. doing work at their desks. n If children work in groups,
place these children with a
n Provide a quiet area for small number of peers.
n Use a variety of activities children to go to when n Let children use a fiddle
to keep children active in they start to feel over- toy during activities that
the classroom. whelmed. Make sure an do not provide a lot of n When moving toward
adult can supervise this sensory input. these children, approach
area. them from the front
n Have these children sit in instead of from behind to
the middle of the class- n Use lots of kinesthetic and avoid startling them.
room, which offers more n Place these children at the hands-on activities.
stimulation to help them beginning or end of the
focus. line to maintain a predict- n Keep the classroom as
able routine. n Have children sit in the calm and organized as
back of the classroom to possible. Bright colors or
n Provide many activities provide them with lots lots of objects on the walls
and experiences that n Discuss ways for children of visual stimulation and are distracting to these
require movement. For to communicate their decrease the likelihood children.
example, have children needs and distress. that they will distract their
leapfrog to the door and peers.
skip to the bathroom. n Provide many opportuni-
n Avoid touching these ties for children to make
children. For example, use n Use positive behavioral in- simple choices. This helps
verbal reinforcement for terventions. For example, them feel in control.
positive behavior rather redirect children by hav-
than a pat on the back. ing them go around the
room and help organize
materials.
n Help prepare children
for transitions, such as Adapted from Dunn (1999; 2008) and Miller (2006).
cleanup time.
Each child is an individual with unique needs. Whether ap- sensory processing, and encouraging self-regulation, allows
plying Bodrova and Leongs concepts or Dunns strategies adults to better meet childrens individual needs as well as
to the classroom, keep in mind that the ideas presented here maintain a classroom that accommodates the sensory needs
are not exhaustive. Having an understanding of sensory of all children.
integration, being knowledgeable of the four patterns of
Ayres, A.J. 2005. Sensory Integration and the Child: Understanding Saunders, D. 2006. The Importance of Sensory Processing. http://
Hidden Sensory Challenges, 25th anniversary edition. Los Angeles: dsaundersot.webs.com/The%20Importance%20of%20Sensory %20
Western Psychological Services. Processing.pdf.
Bodrova, E., & D.J. Leong. 2005. Self-Regulation: A Foundation for Wakeford, L. 2006. Sensory Processing: Strategies to Increase Engage-
Early Learning. Principal 85 (1): 3035. www.naesp.org/resources ment. www.telability.org/affiliates/SPstrategiestoincrease engage-
/2/Principal/2005/S-Op30.pdf. ment.pdf.
Bodrova, E., & D.J. Leong. 2007. Tools of the Mind: The Vygotskian Ap-
proach to Early Childhood Education. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson.
Reading &
Dunn, W. 1997. The Impact of Sensory Processing Abilities on the Daily
Lives of Young Children and Their Families: A Conceptual Model.
Infants & Young Children 9 (4): 2335.
Writing
Dunn, W. 1999. The Sensory Profile. San Antonio, TX: Psychological
Corporation.
Research-based tips and
ideas on childrens learning
Books for Laughing
Dunn, W. 2007. Supporting Children to Participate Successfully in
Everyday Life by Using Sensory Processing Knowledge. Infants &
and development families can
Together
Young Children 20 (2): 84101. trustand much, much more!
Dunn, W. 2008. Living Sensationally: Understanding Your Senses. Phila-
delphia: Jessica Kingsley.
NAEYC
Lynch, S., & C. Simpson. 2004. Sensory Processing: Meeting Individual
Needs Using the Seven Senses. Young Exceptional Children 7 (4): 29.
Miller, L.J. 2006. Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children With Copyright 2013 by the National Association for the Education of Young Chil-
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Together
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