Classroom Sensory Pathways & Inspirational Wall Decals
One in five children has obesity today, according to current statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s why it’s so important to keep kids active, ensuring they get at least 60 minutes of exercise daily.
It’s never too early to teach kids about the importance of strength training. Not only will having more leg muscle prevent obesity, but it will also help kids perform better in their favorite sports.
Continue reading Leg Exercises for Kids
Though some think of kindergarten as a year of play, kindergartners work hard and learn a lot in a short amount of time. Teachers can no longer expect healthy five to six-year-old children, with all their energy and enthusiasm, to sit at their desks or to be quiet all day. Kindergarten gives children the opportunity to grow and develop through play — the way children learn best. It is a time for children to expand their love of learning, build knowledge, develop their ability to get along with others, and explore ways of reaching out to the world.
Continue reading Is Kindergarten Important?Installing vinyl sensory pathways can be a fun and engaging way to add a sensory experience to your classroom or hallways space. Here are some general steps you can follow:
A Higher Class Co. Sensory pathways in school hallways are designed to provide students with a quick break from their aca demic activities to engage in physical activity, sensory stimulation, and self-regulation. The pathways typically consist of a series of colorful and interactive stations, such as hopscotch squares, balance beams, and sensory walls, that students can engage with as they walk through the hallway.
There are several reasons why sensory pathways can be beneficial for students. First, they provide a healthy outlet for physical energy, which can help students focus better in the classroom. By engaging in physical activity during the school day, students can release pent-up energy and reduce restlessness, which can enhance their ability to concentrate and learn.
Second, sensory pathways provide a sensory-rich environment that can stimulate the senses and promote self-regulation. Students can engage with tactile surfaces, visual displays, and auditory cues that can help them regulate their emotions and stay calm and focused. By providing a structured sensory experience, the pathways can also help students develop sensory processing skills, such as visual tracking, spatial awareness, and fine motor skills.
Finally, sensory pathways can be a fun and engaging way for students to break up their day and reduce stress. By providing an opportunity for students to engage in physical activity and explore new sensory experiences, the pathways can help students feel more motivated, engaged, and enthusiastic about their learning.
Maybe you have a smaller space and only want one or two activities. We have an adorable duck walk that is a bright sunny color with super cute duck decals. Included is a Start Line, Duck feet, Mama duck and a Baby duck with several arrows. The kids will have fun waddling down the hall quacking to their hearts content.
We also have a Frog Hop Path. Included in that kit are One Leaping Frog, one sitting frog, 4 Lily pads, 2 sets of waves, and 4 arrows. This is a safer version of leap frog but the kids will still have loads of fun.
Did you know that research has shown that 5-20 minute movement breaks in the classroom can positively affect cognition, executive function, attention span, memory skills, attitude changes, motivation, on-task behaviors, organizational skills, motor planning, and impulse control? Who knew that brain breaks and physical activity pack a lot of punch! We do. Check out our sensory paths and fun decals to get your kids moving. https://ahigherclass.co/product-category/classroom-sensory-paths-pre-school/sensory-path-kits/
Give that kid a break. In fact, give one to his entire class. Research shows it actually will help them learn better in school.
Recess time has been championed as a way to help combat the nation’s childhood obesity problem. Studies also have shown that the free-play that comes with recess is crucial to a child’s cognitive, social and emotional development.
Recess “represents an essential, planned respite from rigorous cognitive tasks,” according to the American Academy of Pediatrics in a 2013 policy statement(link opens in new window) touting the benefits of recess. “It affords a time to rest, play, imagine, think, move, and socialize.” It also helps kids reset their brains for the remainder of the day.
“After recess, for children or after a corresponding break time for adolescents, students are more attentive and better able to perform cognitively,” the organization said.
In essence, recess can help students retain more of what they learn, said one of the AAP report’s lead authors, Robert Murray, M.D.
“The science shows pretty clearly that taking those breaks in the day makes students better able to encode memory and learn and perform academically. There’s a lot on the table in terms of the child’s health, well being and academic success,” said Murray, former chairman of the AAP’s Council on School Health.
But just as critical to cognitive improvement, recess also is crucial to developing social and communication skills picked up on the playground – lessons that usually don’t get taught inside a classroom. “Recess is the only place in school, maybe the only place in their social life, where kids have the opportunity to develop social skills with their peers,” Murray said.
Turner said kids need a chance to “just go out and play and have fun,” something they may not be able to do in P.E. class.
“Kids need time in an unstructured environment where they are given creativity in terms of their outlet where they basically learn how to share and get along with each other,” she said.
“In my 6-year-old’s mind, P.E. doesn’t count. P.E. means running laps, and he wants to go to the playground,” Lipham said. “Recess gives him a chance to sociality and really just be a kid for a small portion of what to him is a very long day.”
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/05/01/recess-helps-kids-learn-better-in-school
Halloween will be here whether you are ready or not. Are you ready? Do you have your costume picked out? Your children’s? The children might have pumpkins from last year, but who knows. Don’t forget to grab some from Target. At least that is where I usually do my last minute shopping. We have bat stickers, cat stickers, and creepy house decals. And who can forget the witches? No one. So grab your decals for your party or for your child’s costume and sit back and enjoy the rest of October.
As you might know, sensory sensitivity affects children with ADD, ADHD, and Autism. They may not like to go outside and have rain in their face. They may not be able to play in the snow or outside when it’s really windy. Sensitivity to heavy jackets or not wanting to wear their boots may limit your options for these kiddos. I worked with a little guy who didn’t like to go outside in the rain or wash his hands because the feeling of water disturbed him. But boy did that he love to bounce. We would play games like bouncing like Tigger, jumping into pillows, etc. He had a great time, but after a while the other kids needed to stop and play calmly. He didn’t. The sensory path was a great way for him to contain his energy in a guided activity and let the other kids play in the same area but not get bumped into by him. If you run a preschool or a daycare-sensory paths in the hallway or in a wide space may help these kids by giving them a place to jump and play. They also them the ability to be able to be calm to do group activities afterwards. You can purchase the whole path, or one activity at a time. They can be found here: https://ahigherclass.co/product/deluxe-vinyl-sensory-path-kit-61-custom-decals-moving-inspires-learning/
Are you throwing an epic Halloween Party this year? We have loads of decals to choose from including Creepy Bats, Cute Pumpkins, Scary Pumpkins, Spooky Cats and Mice, Ghosts, a Haunted House, a Large Happy Halloween Decal, Spooky Tree scene and don’t forget to grab some Witches!
Don’t forget to add reflective decals to your children’s costumes and trick or treating bags. These cute decals are easy to apply and fun for kids. These Lightning Bolts are available for $7.99.
We are all concerned with children’s safety, especially at Halloween. We have several options for your children to help with visibility on a dark night. We have a package of 9 Reflective Ghosts in Silver, Orange, or Red.
Check out these cool Lightning bolts in a large pack of 11 decals. They are also available in Silver, Orange, or Red. All of our decals will work either by being worn on a costume or stuck to a trick or treating bucket or bag. Easily removed from costumes and bags.
What is a Sensory Path? A sensory path is a colorful, creative and playful way for kids to build sensory pathways, connections in the brain that are responsible for sight, touch, sound, etc., which enable kids to complete complex, multi-stage tasks. Sensory Paths encourage the child to use their muscles and be active doing a specific task until it is complete.
Teachers have been using Sensory Paths in the classroom for years and have found several benefits. One of the benefits is the focus of the children after they have completed one or two circuits. Special Needs teachers have found if a child is having a hard time focusing, doing even just one activity, say the bear crawl, can help bring focus to the child’s mind. Sensory Paths don’t only benefit kids in the classroom. Children all need to move their bodies and challenge themselves. These paths do that by using muscles all over the children’s bodies. These decals can be used all over. Use them in the gym for rainy days-use them in the hallways so many classes can enjoy them.
We have created our sensory paths include a variety of activities. Our paths include Hop Scotch, a Duck Walk, a Bear Crawl, a Frog Hop, a Balance Beam, a Push Up station and a variety of arrows and foot prints that can be used to create a specialized path just for your school or daycare. Each activity has an easy transition to the next.
We hope you enjoy using our sensory paths in your school and let us know how they are helping your children.
