Second Round of Sensory Programs!
Date posted: November 14, 2014
Round two of Sensory Respites has been a blast! As the weather was turning colder we spent every possible moment soaking up what was left of the good weather before winter starts to take over.
Last time Sensory Needs blogged, we talked a bit about what the Sensory Needs program is and a few of our spaces. I would like to introduce you to a few more of those spaces and one really cool addition to the Allyn Campus’ sensory toy repertoire.
One of the areas the sensory program uses a lot when the weather permits is the Sensory Trail. The sensory trail is most easily described as a typical playground split into multiple stations along a trail through the woods of the Allyn Campus. Starting just before Aspen Lodge, the trail loops behind the lodge and you soon come to the first of 6 stations: Push/Pull station. This station houses a field of punching bags that can be used for lots of fun sensory input and output. Other stations include the sandbox, the balancing station, the climbing station, swings, and a spinning station.
Zoe Climbing on the Sensory Trail’s Climbing Station!
Another of the areas Sensory Needs uses is called the 1:1 space. The 1:1 space is set up like a classroom with a whiteboard on one side, shelves full of puzzles, workbooks and more educational tools opposite and a table just right for two on the third wall. The purpose of this space is to encourage social interaction between a participant and their 1:1 staff as well as provide further learning opportunities over the weekend.
While in the 1:1 space, Sidnie and Yoko decided that they were going to paint their nails. When Sidnie was done painting Yoko’s nails, Yoko was all ready to paint Sidnie’s for her—but while discussing what Sidnie wanted her nails to look like she decided she could do a better job herself!
On another note-Sensory Needs just got a REALLY cool new sensory toy! It’s called the GBOP! (Great Big Outdoor Playball) Everyone loves it so much, I couldn’t not share it with you all!
It’s a giant, inflatable, multi-colored, hollow ball that participants of all ages are absolutely in love with! The one you see here is the light-up kaleidoscopic GBOP and it is AMAZING!
Thanks for reading!
Katie Scholp
