All children need to release pent-up energy, relax, meditate, or process overwhelming feelings in school. Offering a sensory room — an indoor space where students can deal with the stress of any kind that builds up throughout the day is a solution. Sensory spaces can benefit all students, especially those exposed to trauma, chronic stress, and those with specified sensory needs.
The environment in the room, combined with sensory activities, allows students of all ages to learn, grow, and thrive at school each day. Just 15 or 20 minutes in the sensory area helps students return to class feeling refreshed and centred.
Neurodivergent students often spend a lot of energy wondering if they are sitting still enough or are quiet enough. They usually wonder how different they are from others.
However, there is no "doing it wrong" in the sensory space if they are not hurting themselves or others. Students do not need to worry about being teased or made fun of — this is a place of true acceptance. Sensory rooms should be a safe space for any student, but especially for neurodivergent students who do not process physical sensation, time, or interactions with other people the same way.
If a school has space restrictions, the sensory room can be a shared special education classroom — or space just beyond teachers' desks or a corner. The simple features of a sensory space can be a ball pit, a string of LED lights, large foam blocks, and a small trampoline. Flexible seating options like yoga balls, bean bag chairs, and bins full of sensory items like clay and kinetic sand are also helpful. Some fidget spinners, pop-Its, soft toys, and imaginative play items like dolls and characters can also be part of a sensory room.
Creative art break stations can also be included. Little models to paint, beads to make jewellery with, and other art supplies for the kids or library of colouring books and markers, ink pens, coloured pencils, and crayons.
Students use sensory space for different needs. Some use the space to get extra energy out through movement, while others like to lie on the floor. The ball pit can sometimes be a huge draw for students who benefit from motor breaks.
The benefits of the sensory room in a school are firsthand. For any student who needs additional support — from calming classroom jitters to processing trauma — the sensory room is a safe space to decompress throughout the school day, and children are happier and more motivated to learn.
Some students need sensory, or motor breaks written into their individualised education programmes and visit the space as specified in their plan. Others are identified by either special education or general education teachers as students who would benefit from a scheduled break when feeling stressed. When a student needs an unscheduled break, a teacher can always fall back on the resources of the sensory room.
Usually, sensory space is the most popular space in school among children. At the same time, a sensory room can help children improve their visual, auditory, and tactile processing and fine and gross motor skills. By providing a sense of calm and comfort, sensory rooms help children learn to self-regulate their behaviours, which ultimately improves focus.
A sensory space does not always have to be an exorbitant space. A few regular items available at any toy store are good enough. Parents and the community can also donate room items.
We do not need much to give children a brain break. For children, the sensory room provides freedom; sometimes, a little freedom is all they need at school to flourish.
The author is an educational psychologist. www.massratshaikh.com
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