Tips for Schools and Homes

Have you ever walked through a hallway and it completely engrossed your senses in every conceivable way? That’s the concept of a sensory hallway often found in schools. However, those on the autism spectrum could benefit from sensory hallways in other aspects of society.

These hallways are often filled with colors and creative designs with stimulating sights, sounds, and even touches for those who are sensory-seeking. This structured space can also be used in homes and daycares to help children engage with their surroundings.

Benefits of sensory hallways for autistic children

Children on the autism spectrum tend to be more sensory-seeking than neurotypical children. Sensory hallways can provide fun “brain breaks” that allow them to learn while they move rather than in more traditional settings.

Research shows a sensory hallway can help improve spatial awareness while releasing excess energy.

Some key benefits of a sensory hallway include:

• Sensory integration – The different textures, colors, and movements can help autistic children process sensory input more effectively.
• Motor skill development – Using activities along the sensory path that encourage hopping or crawling can enhance gross motor skills and improve coordination.
• Emotional regulation – Sensory paths can help calm kids down and encourage self-regulation when they are feeling overwhelmed.
• Focus and attention – Kids need breaks from continuous learning in a classroom setting. Sensory paths can help them refocus and improve concentration when returning to the classroom.
• Physical activity – Sensory hallways encourage more movement as part of daily routines and make transitions throughout the day easier.
• Cognitive development – Sensory pathways help reinforce important concepts like colors and shapes through movement.

Sensory hallway for school

As sensory pathways can provide the perfect “brain break” for kids, schools tend to be the ideal place to put in a sensory path.

Kids can take part in creating the sensory hallway as educators can incorporate activities that focus on sights, sounds, and touch to make the hallway more sensory appealing.

These sensory paths can often include an outside area to help students recognize the sights and sounds of nature. Stickers can also be placed on the ground to encourage games like hopscotch. These games can encourage kids to jump and help foster fitness.

Plus, school sensory paths can help make the classroom more inclusive. Research finds a sensory hallway can enhance learning and engagement, promote physical well-being, and encourage social interaction and collaboration.

DIY sensory path hallways for home

While schools can be an ideal setting for sensory hallways, parents can install sensory pathways at home. Knowing what your child may need when sensory seeking is the most important aspect of making your own sensory path.

There are plenty of materials you can use that you may already have at home or are inexpensive to pick up for your sensory path. These materials include:

• Painter’s tape
• Floor mats
• Chalk
• Contact Paper
• Markers
• Decals

These materials can help you work on ideas to make the perfect sensory path for your children.

Creative sensory path ideas

Many factors must be considered before installing a sensory path. These factors include incorporating different textures, considering visual and auditory elements, including movement-based activities, and ensuring inclusivity.

Texture variations

Different textures can allow autistic children to find the sensory stimulation they may seek by giving them multiple options. Some options to vary the texture include foam, textured tape, and different carpet tiles.

Visual and auditory elements

Sensory paths can feature brightly colored markers on floors and contrasting colors on the walls to stimulate visual senses. Plus, a sensory hallway can have objects that make sounds that are either calming or stimulating, depending on what the kids need at that moment.

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Movement activities

Many kids may desire movement while making their way down a sensory hallway. As mentioned earlier, games like hopscotch can be fun while helping students with numbers.

If the space is big enough, a balance beam can also be installed to encourage walking and maintaining balance as a part of play. Areas can also be created to encourage students to jump, hop, or crawl.

Inclusive considerations

A sensory hallway must be able to meet various needs and be all-inclusive. Options must be available for differing sensory sensitivities so each child can pick whatever stimulates them.

For any questions about the best way to set up a sensory path, parents can ask a physical or occupational therapist for assistance.

Tips to implement sensory hallways

When trying to implement sensory paths, there are many factors parents must take into account to ensure the area is both calming and engaging for their child with autism.

Every material selected must be to your child’s liking. Make sure the textures, colors, and designs don’t negatively impact them. Parents must always take their child’s sensitivities into account.

Safety should also be at the top of your mind. No parent wants to create their sensory paths in places that put their children in danger. Ensure your sensory path is safe by checking for corners or intersecting hallways.

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Also, make sure there aren’t any heavy items stored in high places that could potentially fall and injure them. And, of course, adequate adult supervision is a must.

Much like with students in the classroom, parents can include their children in creating the sensory path. Letting them have a say in what sensory experiences are involved allows the sensory paths to feel more like their own space.

Giving the child creative license can go a long way in helping them use the sensory path at home.

Path to calm and connection for each child

Every child deserves a well-developed, inclusive, and sensory-friendly place to learn. However, when a classroom becomes overwhelming for students, a sensory hallway is a great place to take a brain break.

It can provide students with a much-needed area to play while still improving movement, focus, and mindfulness.

School settings are some of the most common to find sensory paths, but parents and caregivers can still transform a hallway at their home or office to help provide a creative outlet for children with autism.

It may be a unique formula, but children can get much-needed sensory stimulation without becoming too overwhelmed.

FAQs

Q: What is a sensory hallway?

A: A sensory path features colorful, creative, and playful ways for kids to build connections in the brain dealing with sensory sensitivities. Sensory paths engage the senses while encouraging movement and physical activity.

Q: What is the purpose of a sensory walk?

A: Sensory walks are activities designed to engage multiple senses by having the walker explore and discover new sights and sounds. They are often used for therapeutic purposes for people with autism.

Q: Who should use a sensory room?

A: Sensory rooms are beneficial to people with an autism spectrum disorder or people with sensory processing disorders, ADHD, PTSD, or anxiety.

Q: How do you build a sensory path?

A: Sensory paths can be built with several developed areas designed to engage the senses. A sensory path will often have different textures, colors, and sounds for stimulation.

Q: Are sensory rooms good for ADHD?

A: Sensory rooms can be beneficial to people with a number of different neurological disorders, including ADHD. The controlled environment can improve focus and regulate emotions while providing sensory stimulation.