Sensory rooms are rooms specifically designed to provide an enjoyable or calming multisensory experience for children.
They’re often used for children with autism or sensory processing disorder but they are beneficial to all children.
Sensory rooms are becoming more common in clinics, schools, and even popping up elsewhere – like airports and malls. Having a sensory room in your home will support your child’s sensory needs on a daily basis.
What are the benefits of a sensory room?
There are many therapeutic benefits to sensory rooms for children.
It provides a fun environment for kids to be active – exercise helps children focus and learn.
Offers a safe space for children to practice gross motor skills and build confidence in those skills
Reduces disruptive behaviors caused by sensory seeking or sensory overload
It’s a safe space for kids to explore which is helpful for those with anxiety
Calms and relaxes, helping improve emotional regulation
Enhances learning – multisensory environments activate different areas of the brain simultaneously which helps enhance learning by building neural pathways more quickly.
What to Consider When Creating a Sensory Room
Keep a list of all your sensory room ideas to help you plan out what the room will look like.
You need to consider a few different things for the room (especially if this room is for a school or clinic):
Flooring
Lighting
Sensory Equipment
Toys/Fidgets
Decor
What should my sensory room have?
Weighted items for example, these weighted animals with reversible sequins for fidgeting, or weighted lap pads, blankets, etc. help surround a child in warmth and coziness
Bubble tubes distract and calm
Pop Its keep children entertained and target the senses in a relaxing manner
Foam flooring keep the area comfortable and help your child understand this is a place that's just for them
Comfy seating such as bean bags or pillow piles make reading and decompressing more comfortable
Galaxy projector lights help distract and calm children
Wobble boards stimulate the vestibular system
Touch and feel books are fun and engaging and are relaxing for children to feel on their fingertips
Glow in the dark lights aren't harsh and are soothing and interesting to the senses
These are just a few suggestions for your own home sensory room or space! What are a few things you have in yours if you already have one?
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