Hop like a frog. Balance on the brown snake. Sidestep against the red wall.
These and other creative instructions are attached to the colorful stickers on the floor and walls inside Eugene Field Elementary School’s cafeteria.
This past summer the school put in what is known as a “sensory path”
It’s available for students when they grow too restless or need an opportunity for a break to refocus.
A sensory path is an evidence-based, creative and playful way for students to improve motor planning, fundamental motor skills, and building stronger sensory connections in that brain that are responsible for sight, touch, sound, balance, etc., which enable students to complete complex, multi-stage tasks.
Principal Dennis Weiss says the students love the new sensory path, "If their bodies are engaged then their minds will be engaged," said Principal Weiss.
So whenever a teacher notices their students might need a break, they can hop down the sunflower or jump on the logs to refocus and have some fun along the way!
