Creating Spaces. Sensory Tool Kit Creating Sensory Safe Spaces. Enriched Experiences Sculpt Neurons. Diana Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA

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1 Kid Power #5 Totally covered with mats and well padded Takes risks while being safe Dancing on the edge Just right challenge Demonstrates physical power Climbing, pushing, pulling, lifting, stretching Jumping, impacting, sliding, catching Gravitational challenge Acknowledges independence Facilitates self direction Enriched Experiences Sculpt Neurons European SI Congress May 27, 2011 Algarve Portugal, Roseann Schaaf Brain cells from rats raised without any special stimulation resulted in the dendrites being relatively small, uncomplicated and few. Rats that were provided with toys and gadgets for stimulation had far more extensive and complex dendritic growth, allowing many more connections with other brain cells. Must have protected matted space builtbykids.com /how-tobuild-tire-see-saw Paradise Playground Bowling Green KY 1

2 Safe Playgrounds Surfacing: rubber tiles / poured-in-place surfaces /PVC materials are environmentally & wheelchair friendly Protective fall zone: extend out in each direction Maintenance of hooks Watch for: Pinch points Head entrapment: torso goes through but head is trapped Entanglement corners: where clothing gets entangled Inadequate barriers Heidi OT ed: We had a lot of students that were having difficulty with recess We wrote a grant and parent volunteers helped paint our playground. It has been wonderful and provides enough structure to allow kids to be productive instead of wandering aimlessly (See Handout) We also added some of the equipment that Diana Henry talks about in her workshop, based on Ayres SI. Slides go all the way down to the ground 2

3 Bowling Green, KY Bumpy Vibrating Slide Creating WV Spaces Overhead bars for spina bifida and others Omaha, NB Bowling Green KY Hill for Rolling and Sledding 3

4 Jumping in Paris, France Orbital intense movement Landscape Structures Inc. Double Tire Swings (Spinning tire swings) Spinning monkey bars Triple Ring Fling Forward Linear Movement The muscle work builds stability around the shoulder joints, needed for writing Track Ride (Zip glider) 4

5 Vertical Linear Movement Develops strength and coordination Bouncing up and down together Funky monkey bars: Wave Net Stationary Cycler Slow Rhythmical Rocking U-Bounce Bilateral coordination Using the arms and legs together Curling into flexion slowly and rhythmically for calming and organizing 5

6 Don t eliminate the swings! What do the teachers say? Typical swings Linear and arc movements Sky Runner Music and movement What do the students say? Universal Design usable by as many as possible regardless of their ability outer space rocket ship 6

7 Can Playgrounds Be Too Safe? John Tierney NYTimes.com (18,July 2011) In the 1980s they had the best play equipment. Older children are discouraged from taking healthy exercise on playgrounds because they have been designed with the safety of the very young in mind. Therefore, they may play in more dangerous places or not at all (David Ball, professor of Risk Management at Middlesex University, London) Playgrounds for Teens School Specialty Projects by Design Students love obstacle courses teen playground Students ]wait on a cushion Develops shoulder stability for writing 7

8 Kid Power Indoors: Gonge Red Top (in Tools for Teachers DVD) Sit and Spin Garage in a Catholic School Opportunities in the Classroom Up/down & Muscle tendon joint & Containment without restraint 8

9 The Sensory Library bunk bed and hammock Sookie Kayne PT & Mary Warren OT Kid Power in a small room Ateachabout audio & video clips, Articles link page SPM chat between school and clinic therapists Go to workshop schedule Sensory Tools for Tots: Toddlers and Preschoolers Sensory Tools for Pre-teens and Teens The SPMs and Quick Tips ateachabout@aol.com for participating in case study project 9