04/07/2008

Meeting Sensory Integration Challenges

In their Exchange article "Positive Strategies for Children with Sensory Integration Challenges," which serves as the basis for Exchange's latest Out of the Box Training Kit, Julie Rose and Nancy Rosenow encourage early childhood teachers to "take advantage of nature’s ability to provide just the right sensory experience for each child’s needs." They explain...

"Children remind us that life is one great, big sensory experience. They show us every day how much they are learning through their senses. We know that children with sensory integration challenges are able to sense typically, but perceive sensory information atypically. Their brains analyze information in ways that may cause pain or confusion. Often that confusion is mistaken for attention disorders or behavioral problems. Successful sensory integration experiences allow children to process information through touch, movement, taste, smell, hearing, and vision in a way that is helpful for each individual. Teachers continually strive to provide the right amount of sensory experiences that will challenge and motivate children with sensory difficulties without overwhelming them so that they withdraw or feel sensory overload. Nature-based outdoor spaces provide a perfect setting for meeting each child’s unique sensory needs. While one child may choose to quietly observe a ladybug crawling on a leaf, another child may exuberantly fill and dump pails full of sand. A wide variety of natural materials provide ways for each child to feel comfortable and successful."

All of our 60+ Out of the Box Training Kits, including the newest kit, "Positive Strategies for Children with Sensory Integration Challenges," enable a director or trainer to mount an effective training session with minimal stress and are on sale this week at a 20% discount (online versions only). Kits are available in these curriculum areas:

• Positive Discipline
• Health and Safety
• Curriculum Development and Implementation
• Environments
• Family Partnerships
• Professionalism
• Early Care and Education
• Infants and Toddlers

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Motivate Teachers
We've posted 30 questions you can incorporate into a fun team building activity with your staff. Have staff members answer one question per staff meeting as an icebreaker or ask them to interview one another and introduce each other using the information they discovered.

For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.

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