What can help your child calm and focus at school? Sensory-friendly school supplies to the rescue! Practicing how to manage frustration and control impulses are essential steps. Here's a checklist to guide your sensory-friendly strategies, such as wearing tag-less clothing, carrying a fidget backpack and sitting on a wiggle cushion. Hug Clothing: Get dressed without the struggle. Comfortable slip-on clothing is a big win, especially when it's seamless and tag-less. Hug Tees or Under Huggers provide calming compression and can be worn under school uniforms too. Vests made of denim, fleece, mesh or neoprene can be filled with weight or adjusted to deliver therapeutic pressure at the joints.
Fidgets: Fidgets provide a safe outlet for kids to move their hands without disturbing others around them. Putty, desk fidgets, or fidgets with moving pieces or tactile exploration can sharpen attention in the classroom environment. Strengthen the intrinsic hand muscles too!
Chewies: The mouth works as a fantastic filter when it comes to sensory processing and assisting with focus and attention. Chews can work wonders in helping kids self-regulate and self-soothe so that they can be more productive within the classroom. In addition, pack some crunchy foods and snacks, such as pretzels, apple slices and carrots. Remember to make the time for movement breaks, which can mitigate the need to chew.
Pencils: How long does a new pencil last? Before your child starts biting or mouthing, top it off with our pencil toppers. Aside from saving the pencil, the toppers will safely provide the sensory input to stay calm and focused. Styles range from highly tactile to highly subtle. Pencil toppers are an all-in-one fidget and chewy, supporting finger exploration while keeping on task.
Wiggle cushion: Curb the wiggles! Encourage active learning with the Wiggle Cushion. It provides a constructive outlet for movement during circle time, desk work or while eating. Another bonus is that carrying the wiggle cushion adds a little "heavy work" as the student transitions from home to school, and within the classroom. Read why kids shouldn't sit still in class.
Hook on: We love our fidget backpack with build-in fidgets, but you can also hang your favorite sensory tools on your backpack. Attach your favorite chewy or fidget for quick and easy access throughout the day, especially during transitions.
Pack the backpack together: Encourage your child to help select the best tools for their needs and demonstrate how to use the tools appropriately. Change the tools periodically to keep it relevant, as you may find something that works for awhile and then you may need to be willing to try new things.
What are your favorite Sensory-Friendly Supplies?
Check out our collection of sensory-friendly classroom tools.
Have fun creating the sensory backpack with tools to help your child have a successful start to the school year! Please share what has worked well for your family or your students.
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