Frequently Asked Questions: Handwriting Kit

WHEN WILL MY ORDER SHIP?

We ship all of our orders USPS Priority, unless otherwise selected at checkout. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and a multitude of families looking for support, we are experiencing a high volume of orders. Shipping delays are expected.  

*Please note that COVID-19 has increased delays with USPS, and due to the national climate situation-many of our suppliers have been delayed as well. 

IS THIS JUST A BOX OF SENSORY TOYS & TOOLS?

Not at all! In fact, it’s so much more! When you purchase a handwriting kit, you will receive the materials/products AND multiple digital assets:

Full list of materials/supplies included with purchase:
  • 10 jewels 
  • 10 flat back marbles 
  • 10 felt balls
  • 1 pack of Wikki Stix
  • 7 scented pencils (7 pack-Blue Slushie, Pineapple Swirl, Strawberry Cheesecake, Jelly Donut, Rainbow Sherbet & More!)
  • 12 scented markers
  • 1 pencil grip
  • 3.5 oz of color changing therapy putty
  • 1 container of Magic Sand 
  • 2 silicone cupcake liners
  • 2 dice
  • 1 sensory brush
  • * bonus * pocket putty for fidgety hands on-the-go
Full list of *digital downloads* included with purchase:
  • Complete set of Play Plans to show you exactly how to use and play with each material to achieve results.
  •  Ready-to-print HANDWRITING CARDS with guide points for proper directionality and formation (uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers 0-9, and pre-writing).
  •  A comprehensive PARENT/TEACHER PLAN with program support, a description of the developmental/therapeutic benefits of the products and materials inside your kit and an overview of the curriculum standards for your child's grade level.
  • A ready-to print CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION your child can feel proud of. You can also submit a copy of the certificate to your school district as part of your progress portfolio.

WHAT IS A PLAY PLAN?

A Play Plan is a child-friendly visual menu that shows the steps of each task/activity - sent to you via PDF file (digital download)-  for a guided play routine. 

 Each Play Plan activity is grade/level specific and directly aligns with the National Standards for either Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd Grade. 

Plans will have a focus on:

    • Sensory Play
    • Shape Making
    • Drawing
    • Hand Development
    • Hand Strengthening
    • Fine Motor Coordination
    • & More!

Early learning looks like play! As an added bonus, our play plans directly align with many of the National Standards. We *highly recommend* taking the time to print and laminate your play plans (and any other digital materials you may receive) for durability and for use with our dry-erase scented markers and other sensory materials. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A PLAY PLAN?

 We get it! It’s one thing to hand your child sensory play materials and another thing for your child to know how to use them. This is especially true if your child struggles with sensory issues such as sensory avoiding or sensory seeking. When children face sensory challenges, sensory experiences often result in more agitation or even a fearful response. Kids need to be exposed to sensory play, but in a way that allows them to engage without being more hyperactive, anxious, and/or dysregulated. Our play plans show you how to engage your child with the sensory materials included in your curriculum kit. The result? Increased calm, progress in learning goals, development, and good self-regulation. We don't expect you to walk through it alone. 

WHAT IS A PARENT/TEACHER PLAN?

Parent/Teacher Plans are sent via digital download and provide program support, a description of the developmental/therapeutic benefits of the products and materials inside your kit and an overview of the curriculum standards for your child's grade level.

WHAT APPROACH DOES SENSORY TOGETHER USE?

We are on a mission to provide you with expertly selected materials and strategies to help channel your child’s energy, reduce anxiety and bring a sense of calm... all in just 20 minutes of play a day. Our play therapy programs are a wonderful compliment to your child's individual needs and goals. Whether you need a program for reducing anxiety/ meltdowns, increasing calm/self-regulation, overcoming tactile defensiveness (both food and/or clothing), developing fine motor skills, or general sensory development, we have you covered.

WHAT IS MULTISENSORY TEACHING? 

A multisensory approach involves multiple sensory modalities: visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and tactile; all of which help to improve memory. Whether your child is a tactile learner, visual learner, or both…we’ve got you covered. Our unique curriculum kits tap into all sensory learning channels, allowing your child to learn and remember specific skill sets in the most lasting and memorable way. Through PLAY!

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SAY? 

Did you know that a child’s brain is hardwired to learn through the senses? Roughly 80% of the information the brain intakes is visual. Infants develop auditory language through hearing adult speech. Even movement is linked with academic success. Expert teachers find creative ways to incorporate all elements of the senses into effective academic lessons that will benefit all learners cognitively, emotionally, and physically.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFITS?

Using a multisensory approach is highly motivating and engaging. When children are having fun, they will also be more likely to learn and remember information. Sensory play is a natural way that children learn about their worlds, so by using a sensory, play-based approach to learning how to write, children satisfy their sensory development as well as learn new motor patterns.

 

HOW WILL THESE PROGRAMS MEET MY CHILD'S LEARNING STYLE AND NEEDS?

Sensory Together offers a variety of program options that use multi-sensory teaching and play to address the needs of different learners. Multi-sensory education focuses on a variety of teaching strategies that appeal to and engage different types of learners in fun and motivating ways! The teaching method allows more neural pathways in the brain to become stimulated as a range of senses are tapped on. By teaching through multiple senses, you are ensuring that your child will learn through visual stimulation, auditory stimulation and movement… as all these pathways are being addressed and reached.

DO MULTISENSORY PROGRAMS HELP CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS? 

Yes!  Multiple studies have taken place involving children with different special needs.  In a study involving kids with dyslexia, use of multi-sensory teaching  showed an advantage over the structured intervention for participants. Another study showed that bottom-up brain connections, which are activated by using a multi-sensory teaching approach, capture attention. Another research study suggested that multisensory integration plays a vital role in improving the working memory in children with ADHD and ASD.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT & HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

Sensory Together provides you with the same expertly crafted strategies & plans that you would receive from your child's occupational therapist and/or early childhood teacher. With just 20 MINUTES of non-consecutive PLAY A DAY with our sensory materials and plans, your child will develop a solid foundation for more complex skills and overall success in school & beyond. Simply open your kit, select a play plan, and ‘play’ with your child. Each play plan teaches your child in creative, imaginative, fun ways! 

WHAT IF I WANT MORE ACTIVITIES?

You're in luck! When you make a purchase with us, you're automatically invited to our private, online community Busy Little Learners: At Home. Busy Little Learners: At Home is where you will find a plethora of community ideas-sharing, real-time answers from the experts, extensions to your curriculum questions, play-time inspiration & more. You must enter a valid order confirmation number from a recent Sensory Together purchase to gain access to this valuable online community. This private group is meant to extend the life of your curriculum kit and takes it a step further. It is a safe place to come together, share and learn. 

 

References: 

Christie, S. (2000). The brain: Utilizing multi-sensory approaches for individual learning styles. Education, 121(2), 327-330.

Diamant, R., & Nealon, B. (2018). Relationships Among Visual–Perceptual–Motor Skills, Sensory 

Jensen, E. (1998). Teaching with the brain in mind. Alexandria: VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Processing Behaviors, and Handwriting in School-Age Children With Autism. American Journal Occupational Therapy 72(4), https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.72S1-PO8009

Parham, L. D., & Mailloux, Z. (1996). Sensory integration. In J. Case-Smith, A. S. Allen, & P. N. Pratt (Eds.), Occupational therapy for children. 

Schlesinger, N., Gray, S., & Schlesinger, N. W. (2017). The impact of multisensory instruction on learning letter names and sounds, word reading, and spelling. Annals of Dyslexia, 67(3), 219–258. https://doi-org.ezai.ez.cwmars.org:3243/10.1007/s11881-017-0140-z

Wilmes, B., Harrington, L., Kohler-Evans, P., & Sumpter, D. (2008). Coming to our senses: Incorporating brain research findings into classroom instruction. Education, 128(4), 659-666. 

Woodward, S., & Swinth, Y. (2002). Multisensory Approach to Handwriting Remediation: Perceptions of School-Based Occupational Therapists. American Journal Occupational Therapy 56(3), 305–312. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.56.3.305