The development of sensory products to stimulate children with learning problems (LP)

Abstract

Children with Learning Problems (LP) are mostly identified in the primary grades. Early intervention is desirable to remediate LP. One strategy is to use visual aids as a cue during an intervention strategy. A visual aid can be tactile and can appeal to the child’s senses, such as hearing and touch. Three main cornerstones which influence Sensory Product Development (SPD) were identified. These are design factors such as illustrations, colour, and book themes, the senses of the children and supporting factors which include therapeutic practices and cultural sensitivity. It is envisaged that if these three cornerstones are integrated into a sensory product such as a book, that it will be able to stimulate a child with LP through play, touch and sound. The aim of the study is the development of a qualitative tool that can be used to asses sensory products and the development of a sensory product that are tested for the specific target group. The sensory product was designed according to the guidelines that were identified in a literature review. This qualitative tool includes the various cornerstones and serves as a checklist that teachers and therapists can use to evaluate a sensory product to establish its suitability for a child with LP. The second article in this study recorded the responses from children with LP towards the sensory product and recommendations for the improvement of the sensory product.