WESTOVER, MD, December 22, 2023 –Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) Special Education Department’s Family Support Services, along with Somerset County Infants & Toddlers and The Somerset Judy Center recently hosted the annual Sensory Santa event at the Board of Education. The inclusive event provides a sensory-friendly environment with a variety of holiday-themed activities for children of all abilities.
Early childhood and special education students visited the Board of Education for a special block of time to decorate cookies, make ornaments, visit with Santa, and enjoy holiday themed games focused on sensory play.
Melissa Heavenridge, SCPS’ Family Support Program Coordinator shared, “Our annual Sensory Santa event provides a fun and friendly atmosphere for students to create and learn through sensory play. Much of our learning comes through our ability to use our senses to retain information. Our youngest students and those with disabilities need sensory play to develop fine motor skills, provide a calming outlet for regulating emotions, and support language development, communication and social skills.”
Santa visits with a parent and Pre-K student, who is focused on a “snowy” sensory activity using cotton balls at SCPS’ annual Sensory Santa event.
Students visiting SCPS’ Sensory Santa event had the opportunity to meet Santa and have their pictures taken.
Students use their tactile senses to search for buried items in Santa’s sandbox at SCPS’ annual Sensory Santa event.
Students and families enjoyed making holiday cards at SCPS’ annual Sensory Santa event.