Family Support: (902) 463-4752
Halifax Dev. Center: (902) 423-4702
Fax: (902) 463-5007

Introduction

Anti-Bias Curriculum

Staffing

Tour

Tour: Snoezelen

The Halifax Developmental Preschool was equipped with a Snoezelen room in May of 1994. Snoezelen is a “magical place”. It is a safe and comfortable environment in which the primary senses are stimulated using combinations of music, lighting effects, gentle vibrations, and touch. Children are free to explore, absorb, and control what happens in the room. The Snoezelen concept comes from the recognition that everyone has the right to quality leisure care. Children need time for play, relaxation, and enjoyment in a pleasurable, stimulating setting. The white room is quiet and soothing. It invites children to explore independently and to communicate with their peers and teachers at their own speed.

We firmly belief that the conception of the Snoezelen environment at the Halifax Developmental Center was the beginning of a wonderful and unique learning curve for all involved with this center. The introduction of Snoezelen to our center has taken us in a new direction that has had substantial benefits to not only our children, but to the entire population of persons who have different learning styles.

In 1994 we started with a small Snoezelen and Soft Play room and quickly came to realize that this was not enough. We were constantly trying to find ways to address all of the areas of needs and concerns for our diverse population of children that was how the vision of expanding the Snoezelen concept became a reality. Having celebrated many years using the sensory concept of Snoezelen has allotted us the insight to go further. Within the Snoezelen Environment, children were meeting their full developmental potential and often exceeding expectations. Since they are so successful in this environment, we wanted to recreate parts of the Snoezelen concept outside of the room in our other learning centers. This has enabled the children with special needs the opportunity to follow through with what they have learned in this specific environment and give them more learning opportunities throughout the rest of the day. It took many years and a lot of work but now all of our classrooms are designed using sensory experiences in a fun, stimulating way. Each of our learning centers and hallway has interactive sound and tactile wall and floor pieces.

This has evolved into the idea of introducing corner units into each of our classrooms. In 2004 two rooms were designed; a black light room and the other a white room. The ideas were put onto paper and the process began.

Below are photos showing the children having fun in the Snoezelen room: