Sensory
Tacpac
Tacpac combines touch and music to allow sensory communication between two people. It is a firm favourite at Marlborough School and supports people of any age who have sensory processing difficulties, complex learning difficulties, tactile defensiveness, and limited or pre-verbal levels of communication through sensory alignment.
The Tacpac website is offering all parents whose children are missing their Tacpac sessions, ‘set 5’ free of charge for 3 months to use at home. They also have some training videos on Facebook.
Click the link below and follow the instructions to access this resource.
https://tacpac.co.uk/news/free-access-to-set-5
Playdough
Let your child enjoy sensory exploration and play-based learning with playdough. It is an excellent medium for strengthening and developing your child’s fine motor skills and supporting colour, letter and number recognition.
Playdough recipes and activities
Caterpillar Crunch Playdough Recipe
Edible Chocolate Playdough Recipe
Oranges and Lemon Playdough Recipe
Porridge Oats Playdough Recipe
Soft and Silky Playdough Recipe
Textured Aromatherapy Playdough Recipe
Sensory Bottles
A sensory bottle is a water bottle filled with materials that create a fun sensory experience. Bottles can be shaken to make the objects inside move and give their senses some fun. There are no rules for making a sensory bottle, for example glitter, buttons, sequins, and beads can go inside but there is no mess.
Please remember to secure the bottle lids with something once closed to ensure the contents doesn’t spill out.
Clink Clank Sound Sensory Bottles
Ding Dong Sound Sensory Bottles
Rustle Rustle Sound Sensory Bottles
Thud Thud Sound Sensory Bottles
Sensory Circuits
Sensory circuits are designed to focus concentration in readiness for the days learning. They can support pupils with behaviours that may affect their focus and concentration. The circuits should be active, physical and fun. Ideally in the morning and after lunch. They provide a sequence of activities done repeatedly to provide the child with the right type of sensory input in order to calm and organise them.
Sensory Development Movement
In school, we like to have time for our pupils to experience Sensory Developmental Movement. This is a sensory based movement experience that was formed on the idea that movement experiences are fundamental to the development of all human beings. There are two main objectives: awareness of self and awareness of others. It has a variety of benefits for students including improving communication and forming positive relationships.
Sensory Toys
Our learners love sensory toys, such as lights. Torches are fun to use and investigate especially if used in a darkened room, tent or den! Other light up resources such as spinners or balls can be both motivational and useful to develop turn taking. Many of these items can be found in pound shops or online.
Lights can be used to create different atmospheres, especially if you have different coloured lights. These can be purchased or you can paint lightbulbs. Your child may have a preference but here is a simple mood chart:
Further Sensory Ideas