Hi Erica!
The sensory hallway/pathway concept is one tool that can have multiple uses:
1. Students can use the pathway while "passing through." My oldest son has one in his school and he tells me he uses it each morning on the way to his classroom.
2. It can be used as a structured "brain break" to help students get into the right level of attention or arousal for the next academic or focused activity.
3. It can be used as a kinesthetic teaching tool - having children count their jumps, steps, etc to reinforce number sense, teaching direcions and prepositions, etc, with movement to use a multimodal method of teaching.
4. It can be used by individual students who have sensory needs (ASD, ADD, ADHD, or other) to provide "heavy work" to calm or energize them as a preparatory activity or to prevent "meltdowns" from happening.
As for risk, the permanently installed decals featured in this story are non-slip, and the movements are those that children should be typically able to perform at their age. I like your term, that they are "2-dimensional" obstacle courses.
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Dr. Nicole Schiffmacher, PT, DPT, MS
Pediatric Physical Therapist
Lecturer: Infant/Toddler Master's in Special Education Program
St. Joseph's College, Long Island
New York
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2019 03:32 PM
From: Erica Piper
Subject: Sensory Pathways/Sensory Hallways
I love it! More elementary schools should adopt this concept and bring more joy to the school environment. Because it is 2 dimensional, there is limited risk in these movements.
I'm curious to know that if this pathway is used on the way to particular places, or if it's just used for the sake of using it during unstructured time?
As a preschool teacher, I've done many temporary 3 dimensional obstacle courses outside. They are usually very popular and inspire child to add on or create their own obstacles to maneuver through.
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Erica Piper
Original Message:
Sent: 06-27-2019 10:53 PM
From: Nicole Schiffmacher
Subject: Sensory Pathways/Sensory Hallways
Hello All!
I was recently interviewed by a reporter from Newsday for background about Sensory Pathways installed in a local school. Here is the link to the article: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/sensory-path-special-education-william-floyd-learning-center-1.32585668
I am currently writing an e-book about Sensory Pathways for teachers and parents. Have you had any experience with Sensory Pathways/Hallways? Do you have one at your school? Do you have questions about Sensory Pathways/Hallways?
Thanks, your input is appreciated!
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Dr. Nicole Schiffmacher, PT, DPT, MS, PCS
Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, Physical Therapist
Lecturer: Infant/Toddler Master's in Special Education Program
St. Joseph's College, Long Island, New York
Founder, TriumphInMotion.com
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