Sensory Box/Cozy Corner

by Amber Pena

Throughout my internship with LSA Family Health and Service I have witnessed the  importance of sensory play and self-regulation. Studies have shown that children with a lack of sensory stimulation are put at a disadvantage. In regards to self-regulation studies have indicated that “supporting self- regulation development in early childhood is an investment in later success, because stronger self-regulation predicts better performance in school, better relationships with others, and fewer behavioral difficulties” (OPRE, 2013). For my final project I decided to create two sensory boxes, which would meet the needs of the children in the socialization program. The first box focuses on sensory, which allows the children to explore their colors and textures through the uses of their senses. The second box is a cozy corner, which gives the children access to a safe space with items ( stuffed animals, pillows, bubbles, and stress balls) that can help them relax and manage their emotions in a healthy way.

GOALS

The sensory box provides several benefits such as language skills, fine motor skills, and social skills. The children would be improving their language skills by describing what they visualize on the sensory box. An example, would be a child pointing out the red triangle and verbally expressing this. The children would be improving their fine motor skills by manipulating small objects on the sensory box. An example of this would be a child moving the rice grains inside of the ziplock bag. Lastly, the children would be improving their social skills by learning how to share with other children and engaging in play with them through the use of sensory play.

The cozy corner should be an area that children from the socialization program can go to when they are feeling overwhelmed, sad, tired, or want to relax. By the use of the cozy corner the children can self regulate themselves by controlling their own emotions and behavior over time. The caregiver or staff member can observe the child from a distance or sit besides the child in the cozy corner to gain a better understanding of the child’s emotions. The children can help themselves manage their emotions by using the soft items, which were placed inside the box. The items inside the cozy corner can be changed for other items in the future.

AGE GROUP

The sensory box can be used for infants and toddlers. The children are able to explore the cardboard box with supervision from a staff member or caregiver. The cozy corner can be used for toddlers.

MATERIALS USED

1. Cardboard boxes (any size)
2. Colored rice (using food coloring & oil)
3. Scott duck tape (green, red, pink, blue. Other colors can be used)
4. Different color shapes cut outs
5. Paint (white & red. Other colors can be used)
6. Hot glue gun
7. Fabric (any style/design)
8. Stuffed animals, pillows, bubbles & stress balls (other comfort items can be used)

REFERENCES

Cardboard Sensory Boxes for Toddlers and Babies. (2013). Meri Cherry.

https://www.mericherry.com/2013/09/28/cardboard-sensory-boxes-for-toddlers-and-babies/

Self-Regulation and Toxic Stress Series. (2013). Office of Planning, Research, & Evaluation.

https://www.acf.hhs.gov/opre/research/project/toxic-stress-and-self-regulation-reports

Sensory Integration. (2016). Learning Strategies.

https://ilslearningcorner.com/2016-10-sensory-integration-is-lack-of-sensory-integration-behind-poor-academic-performance/

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• 36 children participated in the summer youth program at LSA.  The goal of this 4-week program is to prevent the summer slide – learning loss that can occur when children don’t continue reading throughout the summer months.  The program included both math and reading instruction, a poetry workshop by local poet Alex Greenberg, and other enrichment activities.
• Parents enrolled in our Parenting and Child Development program attended a 4-week workshop on the 5 developmental priorities of our early childhood program: attachment and healthy separation, language and literacy, exploration and learning, self-regulation and emotional development, and connection to outside resources.
• Families in the Parenting and Child Development program enjoyed two trips to the beach and a picnic.
• Families in our Preventive Services program enjoyed a trip to Coney Island.
• 36 children participated in the H.E.A.R.T. Camp and H.E.A.R.T. Prep summer programs at Convent of the Sacred Heart.  Children attended fun classes, including swimming, sports, dance, debate, math and reading.  Middle school students in the Prep program toured high schools to prepare for the high school application process.
• 9 children from LSA families participated in a 1 week dance class with the Revolucion Latina Dance Company
• Families participated in a 4-week Community CookShop class, to learn how to prepare nutritious and cost-friendly meals.
• Our own Lucia Russet offered yoga lessons to parents and teens.
• Families made use of Cool Culture passes to visit city museums.

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April 22, 2016 – LSA families celebrated Earth Day with activities that focused on the beauties and bounties of our planet.  Parents in the Language Exchange class and children in homework help worked on a mapping project – discussing natural resources from around the world.  Toddlers in our Parenting and Child Development program explored textures of objects from nature and made a special field trip to Thomas Jefferson Park to continue their discoveries.

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