The Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center opened a new sensory gym on Jan. 31, designed to provide students with diverse and educational play experiences.
The gym, at 813 Hancock St., will first be used by students at the center and will open to the broader community at a later date, according to a press release.
Sensory play has gained traction in early childhood education, particularly for children with sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder or developmental delays. These gyms help children explore their senses, build coordination, develop critical thinking skills and regulate emotions through guided, play-based experiences.
“Sensory exploration and processing is huge, and we want to give these children lots of opportunities to explore them,” said Cathy Reid, an occupational therapist and founder of Gowanus Treehouse, the designer of the sensory gym. “Sensory integration focuses on following the children’s lead and recognizing the cues they give. They will express what their bodies need and indicate what they require from us.”
As the center approaches nearly 60 years of service to the Bedford Stuyvesant community, it has continued to evolve to meet the needs of today's children, according to Angela Terry, executive director of BSECDC.
“Opening our sensory gym is a vital step forward, ensuring that our children benefit from enhanced sensory development and improved communication skills," she said. "These gyms represent our ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in early childhood care. We are excited to see the positive impact they will have on the lives of our young learners.”
