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The Crystal Lake Library (CLL) has asked the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at McHenry County College to develop a sensory walk that can go along with a story offered at the library every second Saturday of the month. We as a team came up with customizing an interactive walk for every eventuality. They will be able to tailor the walk to accompany the story they are telling while reaching children of all developmental stages from birth to 6. Since the library takes their story time on the road, the team developed a portable sensory walk that can be easily stored and assembled when desired.
The Library is a natural and logical place for families and members of the public to gather. The Library’s rich natural resources of informed staff, updated media, and old favorites enrich and inspire the families that take advantage of what is offered.The OTA program at McHenry County College was asked to develop a sensory walk that can go along with a stories offered at the library. We, as a team, came up with customizing an interactive walk for every eventuality. They will be able to tailor the walk to accompany the story they are telling while reaching children of all developmental stages. Engaging in sensory activities will help integrate positive adaptive responses physically and socially. Integrating and processing information from the tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular systems, along with the other senses (sight, sound, and smell), makes it possible to successfully participate in everyday activities. We affirm that sensory experiences are good for all children and think the sensory walk would be a great addition to any story-time. Since the library takes their story time on the road, the team developed a portable sensory walk. Interlocking gym mats will be used as the base of support for sensory media, while painters tape will be used for paths and other aspects. This makes the order of sensory items rearrangeable and alacarte for customization to add or take away per the particular story, season, or event. laminated cards for each square and painters tape area will indicate what sensory component is being stimulated or inhibited. A factor that could lead to taking away the sensory Story-time is that the few families that are currently attending the sensory Story-time do not see it benefitting their children anymore. The population that is currently being marketed for the sensory Story-time is children with special needs, the benefits of sensory activities is beneficial for children of all ages and are beneficial for atypical and typical children as well. Sensory walks are designed to help regulate the child's internal discomfort and provide a calming stimulus to their bodies upon completion (Morin, 2019).
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