At McKenzie Towne School, we’re always looking for new ways to support our students and help them thrive. This year, the school’s enhanced educational supports (EES) classroom was excited to introduce the sensory wall, a project that is already making a huge difference for our students.
Created by our dedicated team — a teacher (myself) and two educational assistants (Ms. Erin and Ms. Cheryl) — the sensory wall is designed to provide a hands-on, sensory-rich experience that helps students self-regulate and stay engaged. Located right in the heart of the EES classroom, it has quickly become a space where students can feel safe, calm and focused, all while exploring different textures, colours and interactive features.
Designed with input from both students and staff, the wall includes a variety of sensory-friendly elements that give students the chance to calm their nerves or refocus when they start to feel overwhelmed. The tactile elements include soft fabrics, textured panels, spongy materials, grooved surfaces, bubble wrap and pom-poms. It’s like a mini-break within the classroom, giving students the space to regroup and return to their learning with a refreshed mind.
For many of the students in the EES classroom, sensory input plays a huge role in their ability to engage with the world around them. Some students may be more sensitive to certain lights, sounds or physical sensations, and this can sometimes make it harder for them to focus on learning. The sensory wall offers a space for students to explore different textures and interact with objects to help them self-regulate.
Regulation can sometimes be the key to unlocking the learning potential of students who face sensory challenges. It’s tough for anyone to concentrate when overwhelmed, and this is especially true for students with sensory processing needs. By providing a space where students can engage with the wall’s tactile features — whether it’s pressing buttons or feeling different textures — they can quickly recenter themselves and get back to what they do best: learning.
More than just a calming space, the wall also promotes important social and emotional skills. Students are encouraged to take turns, ask questions and share their experiences with peers. It’s a tool for building empathy and understanding, as students discover that everyone has different ways of processing the world around them.
One of the things we’re most proud of is how the sensory wall supports the inclusive environment we’re building here at McKenzie Towne School. We want all our students, whether they have sensory sensitivities or not, to feel welcome and comfortable in the classroom. The sensory wall is a reminder that everyone’s needs are different, and that’s something we celebrate.
The sensory wall is already making a noticeable difference in helping our students feel more grounded and ready to learn. We are now looking forward to creating a sensory area near the school office, making a space where everyone is welcome to come and explore. We hope this will further enhance the sensory experience for our school community.
Creating effective supports for sensory needs can foster a more inclusive environment and build community. After all, when every student feels valued and empowered to learn in the way that suits them best, everyone wins. ❚
Call for submissionsSuccess Stories is an ongoing feature that enables teachers to share their successes with their colleagues. To submit an idea or an article about a new program or approach that you’ve instituted, please contact managing editor Lindsay Yakimyshyn at lindsay.yakimyshyn@ata.ab.ca. |
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