Dear Fatima
My advice would be to keep the contents of the sensory box simple especially for those with severe learning difficulties.
In terms of delivery although your idea to train the teacher or group leader in how to use the sensory box, it will quite often be the case that it will be the teaching assistants or other members of the care team (sometimes one on one) who will be delivering the box, so this may mean that the instructions become altered from your intention. A good way of overcoming this (that we used with PMLD students) is to develop a programme based on the items in the box that is done to music or other related atmospheric sounds. Each piece/sound relates to a different touch object which is introduced by the narrator on the tape who says what the object is and directions for the adult as to how you would hold/use it with the student etc. This can then be followed by any member of staff without training and gives a better structure for them to make connections and associations between the senses, but they will obviously still differentiate the programme for individual students.
I hope this helps
Becky
Rebecca Jacobs
Professional Development and Ethics Assistant
Museums Association
24 Calvin Street
London E1 6NW
020 7426 6955
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-----Original Message-----
From: List for discussion of issues in museum education in the UK.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Fatima Choudhury
Sent: 20 February 2007 11:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: sensory box
Dear Members
My colleague and I have been working on an outreach project with two care
homes and a PRU (pupil referral unit), creating a games sensory box. The
adults from the home have severe learning difficulties and the children
have a range of behavioural and emotional difficulties and have been
excluded from mainstream school. We are at the stage where we are putting
together the sensory box and would appreciate some advice or help from
anyone who has done something similar to this before.
The sensory box will allow the participants to have a sensory experience
related to our games exhibition. We are looking for some
objects/resources/ideas related to sound, smell and touch. I would
appreciate it if anyone has done something similar to get back to me with
some suggestions.
If anyone has got any recommendations on how to deliver such a box it would
be much appreciated. At the moment we are playing with the idea of talking
through the sensory box and the related activities with the teacher or
group leader and allow them the flexibility to deliver the activities
appropriate to the needs of the adults/children. We will be trialling the
boxes as part of the project to see how it works and how we can develop it
further.
Regards
Fatima Choudhury
School Projects Officer
Luton Museums Service
01582 546727
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