Guide
Classroom sensory and motor supports
A teacher guide to seating, movement breaks, heavy-work jobs, quiet spaces, routines and fine-motor supports, with a one-page classroom checklist. Free printable guide in English and Spanish.
Free from Oaklin Lane’s therapists. Nothing here is a diagnosis, and if something feels off, that’s enough to ask.
Some students take in sights, sounds, touch and movement differently from their classmates. Small changes in the classroom can help them stay regulated and do their best work. Choose the ideas that fit your student and your room, and share what works with the family and the student's other teachers.
Seating and posture
- Fit the chair and desk: feet flat on the floor, elbows resting on the desk without shrugging.
- Offer an air-filled cushion, or a stretchy band around the front chair legs for busy feet.
- Let the student stand at the desk or work lying on the tummy on the floor.
- Seat the student near you and away from doors and busy paths. A student who dislikes being bumped can stand at the front or end of the line.
Movement breaks and heavy-work jobs
- Short, planned breaks: stretches, jumping jacks, a walk to the fountain
- Whole-class movement songs between lessons
- Passing out papers or books
- Carrying books to the library or office
- Stacking chairs, pushing a cart or wiping tables
- Wall push-ups or chair push-ups
Give a heavy-work job
Carrying, pushing and lifting give muscles and joints strong, steady input that helps many students settle. A real job also gives a purpose for moving around the room.
Quiet space, noise and clutter
- A calm corner with pillows or a beanbag
- Offered as a choice to reset, never a punishment
- A visual timer so the student knows when to return
- Warnings before fire drills, bells and assemblies
- Noise-reducing headphones for loud times
- Rugs and soft surfaces to cut extra noise
- Simple, uncluttered walls and desk
- Cover part of a worksheet to show one or two problems
Transitions and routines
- A picture or written schedule of the day, posted
- Warnings before changes: 10, 5 and 1 minute
- A quick preview of what comes next
- One step at a time, shown before the student tries
- A set place to find and put away materials
Mouth and hands
- A water bottle with a straw or sip top
- Crunchy or chewy snacks, or gum for writing, where allowed
- A few quiet fidgets on hand
- Firm, steady touch; no light touch or tickling
Fine-motor supports
- Work on an easel or paper taped to the wall to build shoulder and wrist strength
- Pencil grips, thicker pencils or short crayons
- A slanted surface for writing
- Paper with bold or raised lines
- Loop or spring-open scissors
- A clipboard or non-slip mat to hold paper
- Hand strengtheners: hole punches, tongs, clothespins and play dough
- Extra time, less copying, or typing and spoken answers
Keep recess and PE: Never take away recess or PE as a consequence. Students who struggle with attention or behavior often need that movement the most.
Classroom checklist
- Chair and desk fit the student
- Seat away from doors and busy paths
- Wiggle cushion or chair band
- Option to stand or work on the floor
- Planned movement breaks
- Heavy-work classroom job
- Quiet calm-down space
- Daily schedule posted
- Warnings before changes and loud noises
- Noise-reducing headphones available
- Fidget or squeeze toy
- Water bottle or crunchy snack
- Pencil grip or thicker pencils
- Slanted or upright work surface
- Adapted scissors
- Bold-line or raised-line paper
- Extra time or less copying
- Recess and PE always kept
Questions families ask
Who is this guide for?
Teachers, and families who want to share ideas with their child’s teacher. Choose the ideas that fit the student and the room, and share what works with the family.
What’s a heavy-work job?
A real classroom job that uses the big muscles, like carrying books to the library, stacking chairs or wiping tables. It gives strong, steady input that helps many students settle.
