Sensory Inclusive Schools

Vestibular activities can have a calming or alerting effect, depending on the type of movement. Gentle, linear movements (like rocking in a chair) are calming and can help students settle after break times or during transitions. Faster, rotational movements can be stimulating, which can be useful for students who are lethargic or find it difficult to focus. However, rotational activities should be carefully supervised to ensure student safety and monitor their reactions.

Here are five school-friendly activities that provide vestibular input:

1. Wobble Cushion

For students who like to rock their chair back, try an inflated sensory cushion. Wobble cushions provide movement opportunities in a safe way. Ensure the student can still place their feet flat on the floor. Monitor responses: this won’t be to everyone’s liking. 

2. Flexible Seating

Where budget allows, modern classrooms should incorporate a choice of seating to suit students who need to move to concentrate. For example, there are school seating ranges that include chairs that safely rock and chairs that swivel. A cheaper alternative product is wobble feet - rubber feet that attach to the bottom of chair legs to allow slight movement.

3. Stepping Stones Between Workstations

Moving groups of students between workstations to complete tasks is an excellent way to incorporate movement into the classroom. Adding in “stepping stones” (these could be stickers or small rubber mats) can help students develop balance and body awareness.

4. Scooter Boards

Scooter boards can help students process vestibular input, which is information about whether the body is moving, how fast, and in what direction. Students can sit, lie or kneel on scooter boards. Staff can organise tasks, eg moving around from one area to another on the scooter board or moving around a track, and team games, eg scooter football or scooter relay races.

5. Yoga Poses

One for PE or break or form times where space allows: simple yoga poses like "downward dog" or "child's pose" provide a gentle, linear motion that provides calming input. Note that some students who are very sensitive to vestibular input may not like inverting their head. 

Conclusion

Incorporating vestibular activities into the school day can help students calm down, focus, or energise as needed. Always prioritise safety and ensure these activities are monitored for individual responses.