Ocean Zones | Sensory Regulation Toolkit

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Sensory Regulation Toolkit

Ocean Zones K-5 SEL Curriculum

PURPOSE: While breathing is the CORE regulation tool in Ocean Zones, many students benefit from additional sensory-based strategies. This toolkit provides concrete sensory activities organized by regulation need.

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UNDERSTANDING SENSORY REGULATION

THE 7 SENSORY SYSTEMS:

1. Vestibular (Movement/Balance)

Detected by inner ear
Helps with balance, coordination, spatial awareness
Calming activities: Slow rocking, gentle swaying
Alerting activities: Spinning, jumping, quick movements

2. Proprioceptive (Body Awareness)

Detected by muscles/joints
Helps with body position, force, movement
Almost always calming/organizing
Activities: Pushing, pulling, carrying heavy items, squeezing

3. Tactile (Touch)

Detected by skin
Helps with texture, temperature, pain awareness
Can be calming OR alerting depending on input
Activities: Fidgets, textured materials, hand washing

4. Auditory (Sound)

Detected by ears
Can be easily overwhelming for some students
Calming: Soft music, white noise, nature sounds
Alerting: Upbeat music, rhythmic sounds

5. Visual (Sight)

Detected by eyes
Can be overwhelming (busy classrooms!)
Calming: Dim lights, simple visuals, nature scenes
Alerting: Bright colors, movement, visual stimulation

6. Olfactory (Smell)

Detected by nose
Directly connected to emotions
Calming: Lavender, vanilla, chamomile
Alerting: Peppermint, citrus, cinnamon

7. Interoception (Internal Body Signals)

Detected internally
Hunger, thirst, need for bathroom, heart rate, emotions
Ocean Zones directly teaches interoception!

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SENSORY STRATEGIES BY ZONE

RED ZONE → Need to CALM & ORGANIZE

Primary Goal: Reduce arousal, increase organization, return to Green Zone

PROPRIOCEPTIVE (Heavy Work) - MOST EFFECTIVE FOR RED:

Wall pushes (push against wall with straight arms, 10 reps) ✅
Chair push-ups (hands on desk or chair seat, lift body up) ✅
Carry heavy books/supplies across room ✅
Push/pull heavy furniture (with permission) ✅
Squeeze therapy putty HARD ✅
Hand hugs (squeeze hands together in front of chest) ✅
Bear hugs (hug self tightly, squeeze) ✅

VESTIBULAR (Slow, Linear Movement):

Slow rocking in rocking chair ✅
Gentle swaying side to side ✅
Slow walking (not fast pacing) ✅

TACTILE:

Cold water on face/hands ✅
Ice pack on forehead or back of neck ✅
Soft blanket or weighted lap pad ✅
Stress ball squeezing ✅
Play-doh or therapy putty ✅

AUDITORY:

White noise or calm music ✅
Noise-canceling headphones (reduce input) ✅
Quiet space ✅

VISUAL:

Dim lights ✅
Close eyes ✅
Look at calming picture (ocean scene) ✅
Reduce visual clutter ✅

OLFACTORY:

Lavender scent ✅
Vanilla ✅
Chamomile ✅

WHY THESE WORK:

Heavy work (proprioceptive) input is HIGHLY organizing for the nervous system. When combined with breathing, it's the fastest way to shift Red → Yellow → Green.

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YELLOW ZONE → Need to FOCUS or CALM (Depends on Type!)

Two Types of Yellow Zone:

High Yellow (excited, silly) → Need calming strategies
Anxious Yellow (worried) → Need grounding + calming strategies

FOR HIGH YELLOW (Excited/Silly) - Need to CALM:

PROPRIOCEPTIVE:

Chair push-ups ✅
Wall pushes ✅
Carry heavy items ✅
Seated exercises (desk push-downs) ✅

VESTIBULAR:

Slow, controlled movements ✅
Marching in place (rhythmic) ✅
Gentle stretching ✅

TACTILE:

Fidget tools (discrete, non-distracting) ✅
Textured mat under feet ✅
Therapy putty ✅

AUDITORY:

Calm, structured music ✅
Rhythmic beat ✅
Lower volume ✅

FOR ANXIOUS YELLOW (Worried) - Need GROUNDING:

PROPRIOCEPTIVE:

Same heavy work as above ✅
Particularly: wall pushes, squeezing ✅

TACTILE:

Hold/squeeze smooth stone ✅
Fidget with texture ✅
Cold water to drink ✅

OLFACTORY:

Calming scents (lavender) ✅

VISUAL:

Look at calming image ✅
Close eyes during breathing ✅

BLUE ZONE → Need to ALERT & ENERGIZE

Primary Goal: Increase arousal, wake up body and brain

VESTIBULAR (Quick Movement):

Jumping jacks ✅
Jump up and down 10 times ✅
Quick walk or march ✅
Dance to upbeat music ✅
Spin in chair (if safe) ✅

PROPRIOCEPTIVE:

Still helpful! Chair push-ups ✅
Wall pushes ✅
Carry heavy items ✅

TACTILE:

Cold water on face ✅
Crunchy snack (carrot, apple, pretzels) ✅
Textured materials ✅
Hand clapping ✅

AUDITORY:

Upbeat, energizing music ✅
Rhythmic sounds ✅
Singing ✅

VISUAL:

Bright lights ✅
Interesting visual (not overstimulating) ✅
Go outside (natural light) ✅

OLFACTORY:

Alerting scents: peppermint, citrus, cinnamon ✅

ORAL-MOTOR:

Crunchy snacks ✅
Chewing gum ✅
Drinking cold water through straw ✅
Sour candy (if allowed) ✅

WHY THESE WORK:

Quick vestibular input (movement) combined with alerting sensory input wakes up the nervous system.

CLASSROOM SENSORY TOOLKIT SUPPLIES

CALMING TOOLS (Red/High Yellow):

□ Noise-canceling headphones

□ Weighted lap pads (2-5 lbs)

□ Therapy putty or play-doh

□ Stress balls (various textures)

□ Smooth stones

□ Soft blanket or small pillow

□ Fidget tools (quiet, non-distracting)

□ Bubble tube or liquid motion timer

□ Dim lamp or string lights

□ Calm music playlist

□ Lavender scent (cotton ball in jar)

ALERTING TOOLS (Blue Zone):

□ Mini trampoline or bounce seat

□ Resistance bands

□ Crunchy snacks

□ Upbeat music playlist

□ Bright task light

□ Peppermint scent

□ Gum or mints (if allowed)

□ Chewy necklaces or pencil toppers

□ Textured balls

ORGANIZING TOOLS (All Zones):

□ Heavy work options:

Heavy books
Resistance bands
Hand weights (1-2 lbs)

□ Rocking chair or wobble stool

□ Standing desk option

□ Visual timers

□ Earplugs or headphones

SENSORY ACTIVITIES BY LOCATION

AT DESK (During Class):

CALMING:

Squeeze stress ball under desk
Press hands together (hand hugs)
Weighted lap pad
Discrete fidget tool
Foot rest or textured mat under feet
Wiggle cushion on chair

ALERTING:

Bounce on ball chair or wiggle seat
Foot fidget under desk
Chew gum (if allowed)
Stand at desk while working
Resistance band on chair legs (push with feet)

IN CALM CORNER:

CALMING:

Weighted blanket
Soft lighting (string lights or lamp)
Noise-canceling headphones with calm music
Therapy putty
Smooth stones
Calming visual (ocean poster)
Breathing buddy stuffed animal
Soft pillow or cushion
Calming scent (lavender)

ORGANIZING:

Rocking chair
Heavy lap pad
Calm music

MOVEMENT AREA/BRAIN BREAK SPACE:

ALERTING:

Mini trampoline
Jump rope
Dance to upbeat music
Yoga poses
Stretching

CALMING:

Slow stretches
Gentle yoga
Slow rocking

ORGANIZING:

Wall pushes
Chair push-ups
Carry heavy items
Push/pull activities

INTEGRATING SENSORY + BREATHING

The Power of Combining Tools:

Breathing works even BETTER when combined with sensory input!

RED ZONE Protocol:

Heavy work (wall pushes) WHILE doing Cooling Breath (4-8)
Then squeeze therapy putty while doing Ocean Wave Breath (4-4-4)
Finally, sit with weighted lap pad and breathe calmly
Result: Faster return to Green Zone

BLUE ZONE Protocol:

Jumping jacks WHILE doing Wake Up Breath
Then crunchy snack while doing Manta Glide (4-0-4)
Stand at desk for next task
Result: Increased alertness

YELLOW ZONE (Anxious) Protocol:

Hold smooth stone while doing Safe Space Breath (4-4-4)
Then wall pushes while continuing breathing
Finally, calm corner with lavender scent
Result: Reduced anxiety

SENSORY ACCOMMODATIONS FOR COMMON CHALLENGES

STUDENT WHO CAN'T SIT STILL:

Sensory Explanation: Needs more movement input (vestibular/proprioceptive)

Accommodations:

Wiggle cushion or ball chair ✅
Standing desk option ✅
Resistance band on chair legs (push with feet) ✅
Frequent movement breaks (every 15-20 min) ✅
Heavy work jobs (carry items, push furniture) ✅
Therapy band to stretch during seated work ✅

STUDENT WHO TOUCHES EVERYTHING:

Sensory Explanation: Seeking tactile input

Accommodations:

Provide appropriate tactile tools (fidget, putty) ✅
Teach "hands to self" with replacement behavior ✅
Offer textured mat under desk ✅
Allow doodling while listening ✅
Provide sensory bin time ✅

STUDENT WHO COVERS EARS FREQUENTLY:

Sensory Explanation: Auditory sensitivity (over-responsive to sound)

Accommodations:

Noise-canceling headphones available ✅
Preferential seating (away from noisy areas) ✅
Advance warning for loud activities (fire drill, assembly) ✅
Earplugs option ✅
Quiet workspace option ✅

STUDENT WHO MELTS DOWN IN TRANSITIONS:

Sensory Explanation: Difficulty processing multiple inputs, needs grounding

Accommodations:

Heavy work before transitions (wall pushes) ✅
Visual schedule + countdown ✅
Transition object to carry ✅
Extra processing time ✅
Proprioceptive input during transition (carry heavy books) ✅

STUDENT WHO SEEMS "IN THEIR OWN WORLD":

Sensory Explanation: Under-responsive to sensory input, needs more input to stay alert

Accommodations:

Frequent alerting activities (jumping jacks, quick walks) ✅
Crunchy snacks ✅
Chewing gum ✅
Bright task light ✅
Energizing scents (peppermint) ✅
Standing desk ✅
Upbeat music during work time ✅

SENSORY DIET EXAMPLES

What is a Sensory Diet?

A personalized plan of sensory activities scheduled throughout the day to maintain regulation.

Example Sensory Diet for Student in RED ZONE Often:

Morning (Arrive):

5 wall pushes upon arrival
Carry heavy backpack to cubby
Safe Space Breath (4-4-4) at desk

Mid-Morning (Before Academics):

10 chair push-ups
Weighted lap pad during circle time
Ocean Wave Breath (4-4-4)

Before Lunch:

Carry lunch bin to cafeteria (heavy work)
Wall pushes in hallway

After Lunch (Often RED):

10 wall pushes before entering room
Calm corner with weighted blanket + breathing (5 min)
Therapy putty at desk during first activity

Afternoon:

Chair push-ups every 30 minutes
Standing desk option
Frequent breathing check-ins

End of Day:

Calming activities
Pack heavy backpack
Cooling Breath (4-8) before dismissal

Example Sensory Diet for Student in BLUE ZONE Often:

Morning:

Jumping jacks (20) upon arrival
Crunchy snack (carrots with breakfast)
Upbeat music during morning work

Mid-Morning:

Movement break (dance to 1 song)
Gum during independent work
Standing desk

Before Lunch:

Quick walk around school (alerting)

After Lunch (Often BLUE/Tired):

Jumping jacks (30)
Cold water to drink
Peppermint scent
Stand for first 10 minutes of work

Afternoon:

Movement breaks every 20 min
Resistance band stretches at desk
Energizing breathing techniques

COLLABORATING WITH OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OT)

When to Consult OT:

If student has:

Significant sensory processing challenges
IEP/504 with sensory-related goals
Extreme responses to sensory input (meltdowns, shutdowns)
Difficulty with multiple sensory systems
Need for specialized equipment

What OT Can Provide:

Formal sensory assessment
Individualized sensory diet
Specific sensory tools/equipment
Staff training on sensory strategies
Progress monitoring

How Ocean Zones Supports OT Goals:

Breathing is a sensory regulation strategy OTs teach!
Zone framework helps student articulate sensory needs
Calm corner provides sensory break space
Body signal awareness = interoceptive awareness
Natural collaboration opportunity

SAFETY NOTES

Heavy Work:

Ensure proper form (straight back, controlled movements) ✅
Never force a student who resists ✅
Stop if student reports pain ✅
Monitor for fatigue ✅

Movement Activities:

Ensure safe space (no obstacles) ✅
Monitor for dizziness (spinning activities) ✅
Provide water breaks ✅
Adjust intensity to student ability ✅

Sensory Tools:

All tools should be safe (no choking hazards) ✅
Regularly sanitize shared tools ✅
Check for wear/damage ✅
Teach appropriate use ✅

Scents:

Check for allergies first ✅
Use sparingly (some students sensitive) ✅
Provide scent-free alternatives ✅
Keep in sealed containers ✅

QUICK REFERENCE: SENSORY STRATEGIES AT A GLANCE

NEED TO CALM (Red/High Yellow):

→ Heavy work + slow movement + calming sensory input

NEED TO ALERT (Blue):

→ Quick movement + alerting sensory input + oral-motor

NEED TO ORGANIZE (Any Zone):

→ Proprioceptive input (always helpful!)

REMEMBER:

Breathing is the PRIMARY tool. Sensory strategies SUPPORT breathing but don't replace it!

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