SENSORY STIMULATION
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The Multisensory Playground Experience

The Many Faces of Play At Miracle, we believe that playgrounds should be a welcoming place for children of all abilities, because play is a universal language. Stimulating multisensory environments promote not only physical, cognitive and social development in children, but also the appreciation of both similarities and differences among them. These experiences positively prepare them for the world beyond the playground. We believe that multisensory play is a priority in our playground designs. We offer a wide variety of play experiences that provide sensory stimulation for children of all...

SENSES AND SENSIBILITY Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), sometimes called Sensory Integration Dysfunction is a framework first described by occupational therapist, A. Jean Ayres, PhD, in the 1970s. It refers to the body’s way of handling and processing sensory inputs from the environment. (American Academy of Pediatrics) At least 1 in 20 children are affected by Sensory Processing Disorder. (Ahn, Miller, Milberger, McIntosh, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2004) Further research suggests that 1 in every 6 children experience sensory symptoms that may be significant enough to...

DESIGNING PLAYGROUNDS for Sensory Stimulation Most people are familiar with the five basic sensory systems of smell, sight, touch, taste and sound. These basic senses or “far senses” respond to external stimuli from the environment. Our bodies also contain sensory systems known as “near senses,” that operate without conscious thought and that we cannot observe. (Kranowitz, The Out-of-Sync Child, 1998) Sensory integration is “the organization of sensory input for use” (Ayres, 1986). It is the organization and processing of input information from different senses and manipulation of this...

Pull Along Allows children to slide back and forth, providing deepmuscle pressure and beneficial proprioceptive input as well as providing upper body challenges. Provides vestibular input with its spinning motion, providing children with balance, motor coordination, and eye and body adjustment while using the equipment. Butterfly Play Panel Promotes tactile and visual stimulation, encourages imaginative and interactive play. Offered in several nature and animal themes. Puppet Stage Panel Encourages social interaction, pretend play, and moral development by incorporating group play into the...

Kids learn to think and relate to the world around them by scanning their surroundings: touching wood, metal, rubber or concrete surfaces, grasping and releasing hand-holds, changing body positions, maintaining equilibrium, and experimenting with different movement patterns. They are having fun, and “fun,” Dr. Ayre wrote, “is the child’s word for sensory integration.” (Carol Stock Kranowitz, The Out-Of-Sync Child, 2006) 1 Swinging, spinning, jumping, balancing, sliding, crawling, climbing, rocking, touching, seeing and listening are important for fun, discovery and exercise, but also for a...

“Life is sensory experience. During every moment of our lives we experience the world through our varied sensory systems. Sensory experiences drive our behavior and contribute to the organization of our thoughts and emotions.” (Corem, Porac, & Ward, 1984). Spinning involves balancing and body positioning while stimulating a child’s sensory and gross motor skills. The movement experienced in spinning engages the vestibular, proprioceptive, and visual senses. Miracle offers a variety of spinning activities to promote different core movements providing fun and interaction for kids.

Sliding is an important aspect of the playground. It provides children with sensations of movement and speed without requiring any additional effort. Sliding down the slide offers vestibular input because of movement, while the hard or textured surface of the slide provides proprioceptive input. 9 Typhoon Slide #748 10 Chameleon Slide #850 11 Flippo™ Slide #770-6S Different types of slides provide a variety of sensations, including those brought on by twists, waves, and different textures. Incorporating slides with multiple bed-ways and climbers helps children develop physical skills and...

Climbing Climbing and its related activities help to develop the vestibular and proprioceptive inputs, improving muscle tone and balance. Fine motor skills and gross motor skills are developed simultaneously when traversing climbing walls.(Autism Society of America, 2009) Miracle’s large selection of climbing products help children enhance their spatial awareness, coordination, and body management skills by offering a variety of different types climbing challenges. 14 Mountain Trail with Log Climber #885 15 Bongo Steps with Hand Support #774-41 16 Tensile Tough Horseshoe Climber #767 17...

Rocking Rocking stimulates the vestibular system while also helping to develop muscle tone. The rocking motion helps establish a sense of timing that is stimulating for a child’s sensory system. Miracle offers an assortment of rocking activities for individual and group play for children of all ages. 19 Twin Rider #608-1 20 FlippoTM Offspring Rider #953 21 Multi-Pondo #150-060

Crawling Crawling helps to develop balance, strengthen muscle tone and to develop eye-hand coordination. The crawling movement is repetitive and this stimulates brain activity to develop cognitive processes such as concentration, memory, comprehension and attention. (Occupational Therapy for Children, 2012) Miracle offers an assortment of crawling tubes and even a product that combines climbing and crawling for the ultimate challenge. 22 Hip Crawl Tube (30” Dia) #872H 23 Boulder Climbing Tunnel #8181

Balancing The sense of balance uses both vestibular and proprioceptive inputs along with visual and motor skills. Balance and coordination help children gain awareness of their own body by supporting the development of gross motor skills. They also support children’s awareness of their center of gravity and equilibrium, essential for physical skills. On the playground, children use their sense of balance to maneuver while developing muscle tone and using problem-solving skills. Miracle has an extensive line of balancing activities that will provide a fun and memorable play experience for...