School for the senses

By Emma Schenk
PAKENHAM Consolidated School has opened up a whole new world to students, building a sensory room at their school.
The bright, fun-filled room will promote the use of sensory input techniques to help foster mental health.
Books, soft toys, colourful walls and educational games all aim to evoke the senses and help the children learn through play.
Teacher Donna Fromhold is excited about the new inclusion to her school and believes it will benefit all students.
“If kids have trouble coping in class, they can use the room to calm down,” Mrs Fromhold said.
“We will also use the room as a reward system. It will encourage students to behave in class so they can spend time in the sensory room.”
The school has a strong understanding of the challenges facing children with special needs and specialise in non-mainstream teaching methods.
They engage students in learning with programs including home economics, gardening and scooter and skateboard riding. They also use hip-hop dancing to improve gross motor co-ordination and Nintendo DS and Wii to build math skills, concentration levels and the ability to socially play competitive games.
These methods were designed by the educational support team at the school, who conduct extensive research into learning methods to ensure every child is given equal opportunity.