Home EduBuzz EduFeature Bookfest Talk Preview - Sensory Gems: Hidden Secrets to Jumpstart Learning in Children
Bookfest Talk Preview - Sensory Gems: Hidden Secrets to Jumpstart Learning in Children

SidHamid_sensorytalkWhen you read a book to your child, does he or she…

...remember the pictures but forget what the story was about?
...love to describe the story using dance, acting or creative movement?
...repeat parts of the dialogue with ease?

Join paediatric occupational therapist Sid Hamid at the Bookfest@Singapore on 12 and 18 December 2009 as he brings you into the world of sensory learning in children.  By gaining a better understanding of sensory systems and sensory processing in children, we will learn how this impacts on learning and function in the classroom, and the different fun ways of enhancing sensory experiences and the classroom/home environment for better attention for learning. This free talk will also provide you with a snapshot guide on how to promote successful learning and positive behaviour in children by learning through the senses.

Interested to know more? Here's a quick introduction from Sid:

In our sensational world, our senses are constantly bombarded with information within or outside our bodies. Every move we make, every objectSidTalkinfo we touch, everything we see and every sound we hear produces sensations that are registered in the brain so that we can make sense of the world around us. When all our senses are working efficiently, providing consistant and reliable feedback into the brain and effectively interpreted, we will be able to have a clearer understanding of ourselves and the world around us. This enables us to interact with our immediate environment.

Children, in particular, thrive and learn about their bodies through their senses constantly as part of the development of body and mind. This daily “sensory diet” thus plays a vital role in learning. Sensory activities for young children in the classroom will increase learning while kids are having fun. A three-year-old's brain is twice as active as an adult's; therefore, this age is an important time in brain development. Stimulation is vital in the early years and sensory activities are an important part of their lives so that children can perform optimally i.e. to be more alert, adaptable and skillful.

Even as adults we need this sensory diet too to keep ourselves going and alert! However, we generally require or crave less intense input but we constantly satisfy our sensory needs which vary in different situations. For example, take a look at the checklist below and see which activities YOU use to increase or decrease your alertness! Think of any other examples if you can Wink 
1. Fiddle with a pencil during a meeting       
2. Shift or “squirm” in the chair
3. Rock your body slightly
4. Roll your neck and head slowly
5. Stretch or shake your body parts
6. Crunch or suck on ice pieces
7. Take slow deep breaths
 8. Bite nails
9. Whistle while you work
10. Play with your hair
11. Drum fingers on table
12. Put fingers near mouth, eye or nose
13. How you react to dim lighting, a cluttered desk etc
14. Listen to classical music

So do join me at Bookfest@Singapore and get a useful snapshot of how to promote successful learning and positive behaviour in children by learning through the senses. Together, we will discover how to unleash those hidden secrets to create a sensory gem in your children!

About Sid Hamid:
Muhammad Shiddiq Bin Abd Hamid or Sid Hamid is a budding paediatric occupational therapist who graduated from Nanyang Polytechnic in 2005 and subsequently, from La Trobe University, Melbourne in 2008. Since then, his passion lies in treating children with sensory processing issues, including diagnoses such as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and many others. He is also a SIPT ( Sensory Integration Praxis Test) certified clinician who works directly with clients, consults with families and schools and is currently giving workshops. For his charming, fun and easy going ways, Sid is a favourite clinician among families and the children he works with in Ovspring Developmental Clinic and is currently setting up Inside Out Consultancy Pte Ltd. He is also currently training in transformational coaching as he believes in committing to all in creating significant breakthroughs in living their dreams and lead meaningful and inspiring lives. Just like how he was inspired to create his children’s picture book, Bumping Bumpity Bob and many more to come!

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