CASE STUDY
A Spectacular Sensory Makeover
Bringing a forgotten sensory room back to life
Start My Sensory SpaceStart My Sensory Space
The Background
Wingate Oaks Center (WOC) is a public school in southern Florida that services PreK-12 students who benefit from small, structured learning environments. Samantha Seeburger, the curriculum specialist at WOC’s preschool, reached out to the Fun and Function team to help update their sensory space, which they wanted to revamp.
The Vision
To update the existing room as a multi-purpose space for preschoolers to release excess energy, promote calming sensory experiences and provide communication-building activities.
The Challenge
1. The student body at WOC’s preschool includes eleven classes of kids with a range of intellectual and physical disabilities. Would the team find equipment that would be engaging and accessible to all students?
2. Creating a new space can sometimes be easier than updating an existing one! Would the team be able to create a design that would update & modernize the room while keeping the existing elements intact?
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
The Process
Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools
The Fun and Function team decided to create different stations throughout the room that would address the various needs and abilities of the students.
A Cozy Zone for Relaxing
When students need to self-regulate, they can choose from several different calming hubs scattered throughout the room. The Fiber Optic Softie Beanbag creates a cozy cloud-like oasis for kids to relax on while providing them with soothing visual input. With padded walls and an airy roof overhead, the SensaSoft Playhouse gives students a snug, secure area in which to unwind. Finally, the Fiber Optic Jellyfish provides a calming ambience in the room while kids manipulate the strands as they watch the colors change.
A Cozy Zone for Relaxing
When students need to self-regulate, they can choose from several different calming hubs scattered throughout the room. The Fiber Optic Softie Beanbag creates a cozy cloud-like oasis for kids to relax on while providing them with soothing visual input. With padded walls and an airy roof overhead, the SensaSoft Playhouse gives students a snug, secure area in which to unwind. Finally, the Fiber Optic Jellyfish provides a calming ambience in the room while kids manipulate the strands as they watch the colors change.
Active Play for Building Skills
The custom Play System takes center stage in the room, inviting students to engage in active play. Kids can roll around in the SensaSoft Play Barrel for therapeutic vestibular input and jump on the Trampoline with Handrail for a stimulating and strengthening sensory workout. The Interactive Balance Beam makes noise as kids make their way across, making it an extra fun and engaging activity for balance and motor planning practice.
Active Play for Building Skills
The custom Play System takes center stage in the room, inviting students to engage in active play. Kids can roll around in the SensaSoft Play Barrel for therapeutic vestibular input and jump on the Trampoline with Handrail for a stimulating and strengthening sensory workout. The Interactive Balance Beam makes noise as kids make their way across, making it an extra fun and engaging activity for balance and motor planning practice.
Interactive Light Play
In order to engage the preschoolers and promote communication skills, the team recommended the Sound Activated Light Up Wall Panel. This unique wall panel lights up in response to noise and is a great way to incorporate speech and language-based activities into play.
Interactive Light Play
In order to engage the preschoolers and promote communication skills, the team recommended the Sound Activated Light Up Wall Panel. This unique wall panel lights up in response to noise and is a great way to incorporate speech and language-based activities into play.
Seating that Supports Calm & Focus
Finally, the team selected comfortable and self-regulating seating options: the SensaSoft Squeezie Seat offers support to the trunk while providing calming proprioceptive input, while the Concentration Rocker is great for gentle vestibular input. Finally, the lightweight Mushy Smushy Bean Bag Chairs provide comfy seats for kids with the wiggles who simply need to relax and unwind.
Seating that Supports Calm & Focus
Finally, the team selected comfortable and self-regulating seating options: the SensaSoft Squeezie Seat offers support to the trunk while providing calming proprioceptive input, while the Concentration Rocker is great for gentle vestibular input. Finally, the lightweight Mushy Smushy Bean Bag Chairs provide comfy seats for kids with the wiggles who simply need to relax and unwind.
These sensory tools create a nurturing environment where kids can relax, explore and unwind in the way that works best for them.
Step 2: Design & Layout
The next challenge was to select a design and layout that would work with the room’s existing color scheme and furnishings. Inspired by the nature-themed murals adorning the walls, the team chose equipment in bright, bold colors to complement the adventurous feel of the room. The team optimized the room’s unique shape by strategically placing equipment that requires minimal surrounding space in the narrower, L-shaped entryway.soothing and engaging.
The End Result
Exactly what we imagined and we wouldn’t change a thing!
- Michelle Howlett, assistant principal of Washington Elementary School
The combined forces of Samantha’s vision and the Fun and Function Team’s creativity and expertise resulted in an epic room transformation. The students at WOC now enjoy a top-notch sensory room that is sure to be a source of enjoyment and excitement for many years to come.
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