In therapeutic preschools like CST Academy, sensory social routines and object-based play enhance developmental skills and social interaction. Learn more.
Sensory social routines and object-based play are essential components of therapeutic preschool programs, aiding in the development of communication, social skills, and emotional regulation. Let’s delve into what these activities entail and how they benefit children in therapeutic settings.
Understanding Sensory Social Routines:
Sensory social routines involve face-to-face interactions between an adult and a child, fostering communication through words, gestures, and facial expressions. These activities focus on engagement rather than directing, allowing both partners to lead and follow throughout the interaction. While sensory social routines typically don’t involve objects, exceptions may include items like bubbles or balloons, where the emphasis remains on interaction rather than the object itself.
Benefits of Sensory Social Routines:
- Communication Enhancement: Sensory social routines encourage turn-taking and communication, fostering language development and social interaction skills.
- Emotional Regulation: Engaging in sensory social routines helps regulate a child’s emotions, energy levels, and arousal, promoting attentiveness and readiness to learn.
- Motivation and Engagement: Fun routines in therapeutic preschools motivate children to communicate and participate actively, enhancing their learning experience.
Exploring Object-Based Play:
Object-based play involves interactions between individuals using toys or objects. This type of play encourages joint activities, turn-taking, and thematic exploration. Toys with multiple pieces or versatile functions are ideal for promoting varied interactions and learning opportunities.
Integrating Both Approaches at CST Academy:
CST Academy incorporates both sensory social routines and object-based play throughout its therapeutic day program. Free play often focuses on object manipulation, while structured activities like circle time involve sensory routines such as songs and finger plays. Book activities and pretend play seamlessly blend both approaches, offering diverse learning experiences.
Conclusion:
In therapeutic preschools like CST Academy, sensory social routines and object-based play play pivotal roles in supporting children’s development and social interactions. By integrating these approaches into daily activities, educators and therapists create engaging learning environments where children thrive and build essential skills for future success.
