“Play is the
highest expression of human development in childhood for it alone is the free
expression of what is in a child's soul.” ----Friedrich Froebel
In 1837, German pedagogue, Friedrich Froebel opened the Play and Activity Institute in Bad Blankenburg, Germany.
Three years later, the name of the school was changed to Kindergarten. The rest
is history.
Like Froebel, Enabling Devices
founder, Steven E. Kanor, Ph.D. believed passionately in the importance of play
for all children regardless of physical, emotional or cognitive differences. Now,
Steven’s son, Seth, the company’s new CEO, is continuing his father’s noble
mission.
Yet, “the simple
pleasures and joys that children experience running, playing and enjoying a
sunny day are sometimes not available for children with special needs,” notes
the Hidden Angel Foundation. “Due to
limitations, they don’t experience or are unable to interact with their
surroundings, limiting their sensory experience.”
Sensory rooms provide an antidote to this dilemma by creating opportunities
for children [as well as adults] of all abilities to experience the joys and
pleasures of freedom, safe exploration, learning and play.
“Sensory rooms are spaces where children
and adults can explore their environments through visual, auditory and tactile
experiences,” explains Karen O’Brien, Product Development Specialist at
Enabling Devices.
“They offer
highly individualized experiences and serve individuals with a variety of
disabilities including autism spectrum disorders, developmental disabilities,
post traumatic stress disorders, cerebral palsy and sensory processing
disorders.” In fact, notes O’Brien, sensory rooms are wonderful for anyone who
wants to relax, regardless of abilities. Read More...
There is
great variability in the design of sensory rooms. Typically, they include any combination of
products including swings, ball pits, LED light illuminators, bubble tubes, gel pads, bead chain curtains, weighted vests, musical and tactile toys, sensory wall panels, aromatherapy fans and comfortable seating such as beanless bag chairs.
O’Brien is
partial to fiber optic sprays (catalog item #3954), color changing
strands that create a beautiful and mesmerizing effect for a sensory space.
“They are both visually stimulating and tactile,” says O’Brien, “Depending on
how they are used, fiber optic sprays can be calming, stimulating and
interactive.”
“Professionals
using the rooms and the equipment [in rooms] will tailor them to the specific
needs of their clients,” she adds.
The benefits
of sensory rooms are many. In addition to developing the senses, they encourage
communication and social interactions, relieve stress and anxiety, help
children with self-regulation, increase focus and concentration and reduce
aggression by creating a feeling of calm and well-being, notes O’Brien.
“Sensory rooms also give the child a sense of control over his or her environment,” she says.
Sound too
good to be true? Actually, furnishing, affording and finding space for a
sensory room is easier than you may think.
Sensory rooms
don’t require a great deal of space. According to O’Brien, an area as small as
4’x4’ is plenty large enough to accommodate a sensory room. Some sensory rooms
are set up inside closets and corners; others are created in children’s play tents. The best news? Sensory spaces don’t
have to be pricey. O”Brien says it is entirely possible to furnish them for as
little as a few hundred dollars.
Need help
getting started? Don’t stress. Enabling Devices offers free sensory design
services. Just complete this questionnaire and we’ll contact you within 48 hours
with expert advice. Planning a fundraising campaign to finance your sensory
room? Check out Enabling Devices’ fundraising brochure for a slew of great ideas.
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