Guatemalan Journey: Using All Our Senses

A number of years ago, Girven MacCorkel, a good friend of New Life School, wanted to do something special for our students. Knowing that students with learning problems and physical disabilities have a variety of sensory issues, he decide to donate a multi-sensory room to the school.

After shipping the equipment from Europe, and a couple of years of construction to modify a third floor classroom, we now have a fully functioning sensory room for our students. Probably one if the few, if not the only, such room in all of Guatemala.

In February, Girvan visited us for a day and introduced the teachers briefly to he features of the room. The teachers were so excited that hey quickly began thinking of ways to utilize the room and its equipment.

Working with the teachers, we then identified students they thought would benefit from using the room, and created a schedule. Children use the sensory room accompanied by their classroom teacher. (Classrooms are covered during this time by a "permanent substitute" teacher.)

I wish I had videoed the students as they entered the room for the first time. "Oooooh's" and and "ahhh's" and "guau's" ( how we say/spell wow in Spanish) filled the air. The bright reds, yellows, and oranges which greeted them were a surprise, given the traditional muted colors with which classrooms here are painted. The kids entered with almost a sense of reverence, and this was before any of the equipment was turned on!

The first week, I demonstrated the use of the various items available, and we observed each students reactions and preferences as they experienced each item. The responses to visual stimulation vary greatly from person to person, as do the sensory needs of each person. The teachers and I have been working together to discover the best use of the room for each of our children. I am discovering, as I research this more, that using sensory stimulation is more of an art than a science.

We are committed, though, to use this wonderful gift in the most effective manner possible. The children are our teachers in this endeavor. And I have to admit, I think the adults are enjoying this as much as the kids!