When a school needs new supplies for their students, the list usually includes technological devices, books, and maybe some scissors or pens. Therapeutic Putty- or “Theraputty”- is not an item that many would expect to see on one of these wish lists. However, Talley Street Elementary saw the necessity of supplies like this for some of their students.
DEF recently funded a grant to fill the Exceptional Student Services (ESS) team’s closet with brand new resources for their students. Special Education teachers will now have access to a much larger supply of tools to use with their students. Sensory tools like Calm Strips and Theraputty can help students de-stress by focusing on what they are doing physically. Wiggle Cushions improve posture and encourage core use and are great for children with attention deficit disorders. Additionally, instructional materials including Touch Math and Social Thinking curriculums can teach students about subject material in different and more widely accessible ways.
With the ESS department’s closet freshly stocked, both teachers and students are excited about the multitude of new supplies. Altogether, these unique resources will help Talley “meet the diverse needs of our amazing students,” ESS teacher Brooke Reynolds said.
