CASE STUDY

Haddon Heights Haven

A hybrid sensory space services students of many ages and stages

Start My Sensory SpaceStart My Sensory Space
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The Background

After receiving grant funding, Special Education Director Jocqueline Renner of the Haddon Heights School District, NJ, reached out to Fun and Function for help creating a sensory room for elementary age students.

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The Vision

To create a safe, fun, active and calming space for students where their needs could be met appropriately.

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The Challenge

Jocqueline was initially hoping to create two sensory rooms, one for younger grades and another for the older grades, but due to space constraints, one larger room was designated for all students. Would the team be able to design a hybrid room that would accommodate a diverse range of ages and abilities?

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BeforeAfter
Haddon Heights sensory room pic
Room before
BeforeAfter
Haddon Heights sensory room
Haddon Heights sensory room Boy stepping on gel floor tilesSensory room
Haddon Heights sensory room
Sensory room detail
The Process

Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools

Since many students would be using the room simultaneously, the majority of the space was designated for gross motor activities, with a corner of the room set aside as a calming area for individual students.

Haddon Heights sensory room

Play System Centerpiece

The centerpiece of the room is the amazing Play System where kids can have a blast while doing heavy work and letting off excess energy. The system was designed with a rock wall, a web climbing wall, a slide, and a ball pit. A Raindrop Swing was added to provide proprioceptive and vestibular input.

Play System Centerpiece

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The centerpiece of the room is the amazing Play System where kids can have a blast while doing heavy work and letting off excess energy. The system was designed with a rock wall, a web climbing wall, a slide, and a ball pit. A Raindrop Swing was added to provide proprioceptive and vestibular input.

Students jumping on Jungle Jumparoo

Jump and Rock ‘n Roll!

Keeping the younger students in mind, the Jungle Jumparoo was added, providing a fun, bouncing outlet for active kids! The SensaSoft™ Rockin Roll Top promotes gross motor skills, balance and coordination while the SensaSoft™ Play Barrel lets kids of all ages explore new ways to move their bodies.

Jump and Rock ‘n Roll!

Student interacting with a sensory wall panel featuring beads and moving elements in a school sensory space

Keeping the younger students in mind, the Jungle Jumparoo was added, providing a fun, bouncing outlet for active kids! The SensaSoft™ Rockin Roll Top promotes gross motor skills, balance and coordination while the SensaSoft™ Play Barrel lets kids of all ages explore new ways to move their bodies.

 Crocodile Wall Panel

Touch, Play and Discover

The room features some amazing wall panels and activity centers. The Crocodile Wall Panel is great for developing fine motor skills through play. The Musical Touch Wall provides both visual and auditory stimulation. The Fiber Optic Wall Carpet offers students a soothing and calming experience. Finally, the Sensory Wall Panels were added for their strong tactile component.

Touch, Play and Discover

Sensory room with flexible seating and gel floor tiles creating an engaging and calming environment

The room features some amazing wall panels and activity centers. The Crocodile Wall Panel is great for developing fine motor skills through play. The Musical Touch Wall provides both visual and auditory stimulation. The Fiber Optic Wall Carpet offers students a soothing and calming experience. Finally, the Sensory Wall Panels were added for their strong tactile component.

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Cozy Spots to Relax & Recharge

When kids need a break from all the action, they can choose from several alternative seating options including the SensaSoft™ Squeezie Seat , Jaxx Lounger and Bean Bag Chairs. Plenty of Peanut Balls were added to the mix, helping kids work on gross motor and balance skills. The LED Chair was chosen for its additional visual stimulation.

Cozy Spots to Relax & Recharge

Close-up of fiber optic sensory strands glowing in a padded seating area, creating a calming visual experience

When kids need a break from all the action, they can choose from several alternative seating options including the SensaSoft™ Squeezie Seat , Jaxx Lounger and Bean Bag Chairs. Plenty of Peanut Balls were added to the mix, helping kids work on gross motor and balance skills. The LED Chair was chosen for its additional visual stimulation.

Designed for Deep Calm

Close-up of fiber optic sensory strands glowing in a padded seating area, creating a calming visual experience

The Sensory Calming Cocoon is the mainstay of the calming area, where students can enjoy calming LED lights and a vibrating bubble tube helping them soothe and relax. Kids can focus and regain equilibrium when manipulating the strands of the Fiber Optic Jellyfish. Finally, students can wrap themselves in the Weighted Disc Blankets to enjoy gentle calming weight.

Close-up of fiber optic sensory strands glowing in a padded seating area, creating a calming visual experience

Designed for Deep Calm

The Sensory Calming Cocoon is the mainstay of the calming area, where students can enjoy calming LED lights and a vibrating bubble tube helping them soothe and relax. Kids can focus and regain equilibrium when manipulating the strands of the Fiber Optic Jellyfish. Finally, students can wrap themselves in the Weighted Disc Blankets to enjoy gentle calming weight.

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 team chose products in bright colors to appeal to the elementary school aged children who would be using the room. The school added beautifully muraled walls to enhance the design, giving the room a fun and modern vibe.

3D rendering of a sensory room design
Top view 3D layout of a sensory room design

The End Result

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“We love the room! Great service and support!”

- Michelle Howlett, assistant principal of Washington Elementary School

The Fun and Function team designed an inviting, beautiful hybrid space for students of all ages. Jocqueline was thrilled with the end result.

Sensory Room
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