By Joy and Shannon at the Southern Schoolhouse
Assemblies, school performances, and large group events can be exciting but for some students, they can also be overwhelming.
That’s why we put together a sensory support bag. This is a simple, resource to help students regulate and stay comfortable in louder, high-stimulation settings like assemblies.
This bag is a grab and go; ready to hand an item to a student who may need extra support in a large crowd, loud gym, or unfamiliar setting. Joy hangs this kit on the back of her door for easy access.
Some Suggested Items to Include:
- Noise-canceling headphones – several pairs available to reduce overstimulation
- Squishy star – soft, comforting, and great for squeezing during sensory overload
- Mini fidget spinner – small and silent, perfect for students who need to keep their hands busy
- Kleenex – sometimes it’s tears, a runny nose, or just a moment to regroup
- Small Pop-It – tactile, quiet, and satisfying to press
- Stretchy string – great for calming repetitive motion
- Marble-in-mesh fidget – discreet and soothing to roll back and forth in the hand
You can also get small sensory items in a bundle if you want to make multiple bags for teachers to check out.
You don’t have to use all of these. Every student is unique, and different tools or strategies may work better for each individual. Just a few calming items in a bag can help a student stay grounded in overstimulating moments.
We shared a quick video of what’s inside our assembly bag [https://www.instagram.com/southern_schoolhouse/?hl=en] on our social media page! Check it out!
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