This school year, I was fortunate enough to have my own office. I am an early childhood resource teacher (special education). I have taught self-contained preschool previously for over 20 years as well. Since I have my own space, I wanted to create a calm down area in my office where I can bring children who need a break, who are having a hard time in class, or to prevent behaviors. Sensory areas in my opinion should be one of the most important areas in a special education classroom. When I had my own classroom, I made my sensory area huge. When children are regulated, they can learn. It’s as simple as that, so having a large space dedicated to regulation is my number one goal. Since I go into general education classrooms, they do not always have this space, so I created one in my office.
Here’s how it looks:
- Designate a cozy area. Add a rug, pillows, bean bag chairs, anything inviting and soft
- Add a fidget bucket
- Provide calm down visuals, breathing techniques, feeling charts
- Add a bin of books with motivating characters and interests of your students
- Sensory wall. You can use sensory tiles or different types of fabrics
- Student desk area. I added a student desk for my students, where they can engage with sensory materials such as kinetic sand, playdough, watercolor paints. Any quiet activities.
- Add motor activities. Since I have limited space I did not add additional movement equipment. Years past in my classroom, I have added mini trampolines, hammock swings, crash pads, tents. These are things you can ask your OTs about too.
This may take some time to set up and some money. Each district should be allotted special education money that should trickle down to the teachers. I also added some links to some of the items I purchased.
- Rug. I found a fire resistant rug on Amazon for cheap!
- Sensory Wall Tiles.
- Bean Bag Chair.
Happy Teaching!
