Abstract:
To study sensory integration approach for kindergarteners in Bangkok kindergarten schools in terms of understandings and operation. The samples used in this study were composed of 5 school directors, 71 preschool teachers and 270 parents from five private kindergartens; Rung Tawan, Saeng Tawan, Jit Mettra, Chantra Wet, and Kaew Mamee where sensory integration approach was adopted for co-education of normal and special need kindergarteners in academic year 2007. Data collection derived from questionnaires and personal observation on sensory integration approach in kindergartens. Data were presented descriptively and statistically (frequency and percentage). The results were as follows; 1. UnderstandingsMost school directors and teachers had an understandings of sensory integration approach while most parents did not. For school directors and teachers, sources of information about the sensory integration approach mainly came from trainings and field studies whereas sources of information for parents came from trainings, teachers, internet, and child development books. School directors, teachers, and parents were also able to specify the behaviors of kindergarteners which should be intervened using sensory integration approach. 2. Operations Most school directors and teachers specified objectives of sensory integration approach in the curriculum and lesson plans. Parents were provided information about the activities through training, bulletin board announcement, parent conversation about children behaviors and modifications. Most school directors assigned teachers to organize the sensory integration approach and cooperate with special education teachers. School directors mainly followed up the activity held by teachers by supervision and informal talk. Most teachers set objectives of the sensory integration approach mainly for physical movement. In order to test sensory integration and response, most of the teachers allowed the children to perform the activity in group or individually. The place where an activity was conducted mainly for safety was playgrounds and walkways. Most teachers used developmentally appropriate playground equipments and toys for individual use. Most teachers evaluated individual childs behaviors by observation and information was safed on behavioral record book.