Building on Victoria Wells concept of ‘Sports Sanctuaries’ (the paper published previously on this website:(https://barrycarpentereducation.files.wordpress.com/2020/11/sport-sanctuaries_.pdf).
A school in Northern Ireland, Riverside, has developed the concept of Sensory Sanctuaries, and are now developing these alongside their Sports Sanctuary.
“Our sensory sanctuary is in a space positioned in the centre of our school, which is easily accessible for all. It is filled with natural light and has both outdoor and indoor elements. It will be filled with restorative sensory experiences that aim to promote inner peace and calm in our young people, enabling emotional self-regulation. For those learners who find it more difficult to transition to the area, the sanctuary will be accessible to them in their classrooms through sensory boxes replicating activities in the sensory sanctuary.”
An outline paper, by Shona McCann is below, but the key message is think about this concept for the children in your school. How would it aid their readjustment back to the busy school environment? How would it help process excessive sensory stimulation after a quieter life in Lockdown, and avoid sensory overload?
The work builds on the principles and values of the Recovery Curriculum. We need to emotionally regulate to educate, and this concept is ideal for bringing that to child centred reality.
It is my pleasure to supervise this Project, and as the work developed updates will be posted. So watch this space!
Professor Barry Carpenter
26th April 2021.
Barry Carpenter Education 