Student using the sensory nook wall at Indian Brook Elementary School.

Indian Brook Elementary School recently unveiled their new Sensory Nook! 🎉 The Indian Brook Parent Teacher Association invited Dr. Stacey Rogers, Assistant Superintendent of Academic Operations who also oversees the Special Education department, to see the full reveal. This corner is designed for all students at IBES to utilize!

The concept of the indoor sensory wall emerged from discussions during an IBES PTA meeting, where the administration sought innovative alternatives to traditional recess. This led to the PTA's suggestion of creating a dedicated sensory space within the school. What began as a modest proposal soon blossomed into a full sensory nook, thoughtfully designed to offer a diverse range of sensory experiences for children.

A week before the scheduled unveiling, and with the invaluable assistance of Mr. John Blackwell, the PTA incorporated an interactive feelings wall. This addition empowers students to express their emotions and provides a tangible mechanism for self-regulation. By allowing children to externalize and acknowledge their feelings, the feelings wall helps them identify triggers and understand the connection between their emotional state and the various calming or stimulating activities available within the sensory nook. This process fosters emotional intelligence and equips children with strategies to manage their emotions more effectively.

Way to go, IBES! 💚

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