Sensory Stimulation Kit

Sensory Stimulation Kit Assignment – Going to the Beach

Natalie Iby

Supplies:

1. Visual: photo of seagulls, photo of family 2. Visual/tactile: towel 3. Visual/tactile: sand toys 4. Visual/tactile: bucket and shovel 5. Visual/tactile: sand 6. Visual/tactile: sunglasses 7. Visual/tactile: goggles 8. Visual/tactile: seashells 9. Tactile/Gustatory: salt water taffies 10. Tactile/Gustatory/Olfactory: salt water 11. Tactile: hand warmers 12. Visual/Tactile/Olfactory: sunscreen 13. Auditory: sounds of waves and seagulls 14. Auditory: “Under the Boardwalk” by The Drifters

Container – beach bag

Other items that could be included: Pictures of sand castles, cold bottles of water or soda, bathing suit, pictures of different bathing suits (from the time that participants would have been about 20). A good video would be a tourist attraction video to a famous beach, or somewhere that participants may be familiar with (i.e. Wildwood or Cape May). If native Philadelphians, or from New Jersey, you could sing along to the song, “On the Way to Cape May” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsfeEvZcTjM Flip Flops, Cover Up, Large Straw Hat or Baseball Cap, Toy, mini beach chair, Toy umbrella, Toy Crab.

Equipment needed: Computer, CD player to play music, more sand and a large bowl for real sensory stimulation session.

Visual: Show a picture of seagull and ask the client to identify the type of bird shown. Ask the client the types of things one would normally see when taking a trip to the beach. Hand client the picture of the family at the beach. Who do you usually go to the beach with? What beach and how often? Show them the sunglasses and goggles. Ask them if they use these materials at the beach. Explain how these items can protect your eyes from the sun and water. Show client the sand, sand toys, and bucket and shovel. Discuss the types of things and designs one can make in the sand with these items. (Could also show pictures of different sand castles) Ask them if they have ever made a sand castle or other things in the sand. If so, with whom did you make it? Hand client the seashells and ask them what shapes and sizes they see – small, large, round, irregular, etc.? For clients that have difficulty with grasp, use universal cuff or foam tubing around the shovel for easier grasp. Also use a universal cuff for hand impairments so client can pick up the seashells. Could print more pictures that are associated with the beach and ask client to point to the ones that they like.

Auditory: Using the links given, play sounds of waves and seagulls and leave it on for background noise. Ask client to close their eyes and imagine being at the beach. Play the song “Under the Boardwalk” and ask client to listen to the lyrics and then discuss what the song is about, or if they know the original group that sang the song. Ask the client if they can name other songs that are about the beach or ocean. Have a list prepared so that you are not stuck thinking of songs! You could write all of the songs down on a large piece of paper, or have volunteers write for you to keep group members engaged. Encourage client to sing, hum, or clap to song(s) that are being played. If you have a large shell, participants could hold it up to their ears to “hear” the ocean - you can actually perform the same exercise with a regular cup, or cupping your hands over your ears).

Tactile: Ask the client to feel the sand and describe what they feel. Is it smooth, rough, soft, etc.? Ask them if they have ever stepped on to sand when it is hot. How did it feel different from stepping on wet sand? Get some of the sand and pour some salt water on it so that the client can feel the difference between dry and wet sand. Have client rub some sunscreen on the back of their hand. Ask them to describe the benefits of applying sunscreen when going to the beach. Have client hold the hand warmers, which is similar to feeling the warmth of the beach (ex: the warmth of the sand). Ask them to describe how warm or hot it feels. Have client lay out the towel on a table or the floor. Ask the client if they have ever laid out a towel and sunbathed on the beach. Next, have the client put sand into the bucket using the shovel (fine and gross motor task). Also, put some of the salt water into a large bowl and have client make small waves with hands, mimicking the waves of the ocean. Do you like to swim in the ocean? Client could also put some of the salt water in the bucket of sand and ask them to make something with the sand toys (adding water makes it easier to make or build something). Lastly, hand the seashells to the client. What do you feel? Roughness, rigidness, smoothness, etc.? Ask the client if they like to collect seashells at the beach. Give client more time to feel the sand (wet and dry), to apply the sunscreen, to put the sand to the bucket with the shove, and to make something with the sand toys. Can also use universal cuff or foam tubing on the shovel for clients who have impairments in grasp.

Olfactory: Ask the clients to describe the smells associated with the beach. Put some sunscreen on the back of the client’s hand and have them smell it. Do you like the smell of sunscreen? Does it remind you of being at the beach? Next, have the client smell the salt water. Does it have a scent? Ask them if they have ever smelled this at the beach. Have client smell the salt water taffies and ask what flavors they smell, given that they have a distinct scent. Include more olfactory items that are more of client’s interests. Also, include more items that have a stronger scent such as an air freshener or hand lotion that has a scent associated with the beach. Essential oils that smell like the beach could also be used as aromatherapy.

Gustatory: Ask the client what types of foods they like to buy on the boardwalk or bring to the beach. What is their favorite? Offer the client some salt-water taffies (*diet permitting), as this is a popular candy bought on the boardwalk. Have you had these before? What flavors do you taste? Is it sweet, salty, sour, hot, cold, neither, etc.? Which of the flavors do you like the best? What are other foods that are known for being bought on the boardwalk? Could also add pictures of cheese fries, burgers, ice creams, cotton candy, crabs, etc. Could ask the client if they would like to taste the salt water, mimicking the taste of ocean water. Choose more food items that client is more familiar with. Also, could select a candy or food that requires less chewing and is less damaging on the teeth (given that clients who are older adults oftentimes have problems with their teeth).