Burn No Bridges is a project that teaches self-advocacy and collaboration through a sensory group building activity. Two students must work together to build a bridge- one has the pieces, and one has the snap fasteners, advocating for their block placements along the way. The act of fastening requires the two students to work together- one must hold the bridge up while the other attaches the fasteners, constructing the bridge. When not being used as a group activity, Burn No Bridges can be used as a sensory fidget- the snap fasteners and suspension of the pieces are a great tool to build muscle strength for 3-5 year olds, and the "snap" feeling and noise are incredibly satisfying.

Who: 3-5 year old children that are currently struggling with self-advocacy

What: Project that assists with the learning of self-advocacy through an enriching and sensory experience

Why: Kids may have difficulty adapting from an environment that discourages self-advocacy to one that encourages it, and some kids may simply struggle with it in the Montessori system

https://improvingliteracy.org/kit/self-advocacy

Burn No Bridges Bertha

Core Needs

-Needs help advocating for herself socially

-Needs a sensory experience to learn

-Requires some help socially interacting with other students

Pain Points

-Has difficulty transitioning from the public school system to the Montessori school system, where self-advocacy is rewarded

-Due to her age and lack of Montessori experience, has difficulty expressing her personal needs to a teacher

-Struggles with collaborative projects

Motivation

-Loves creativity and building blocks

-Loves playing with friends at recess

-Wants a fun and engaging way to learn

About

-4 years old

-Goes to Greenhouse Montessori School

-Lawful Evil

-Struggles when overstimulated or understimulated

-Shy and struggles with some social interaction

-Lives in Boston

"If I have an idea and fail to create it before my death, that idea is lost forever."

Key Design Features:

-Wooden blocks that act as planks for a bridge

-Fasteners that allow for the wooden blocks to stay together

-A design requiring 2 players for the "main game"

Next Steps:

-Begin prototyping and purchase or create then test fasteners

-Start cardboard bridge model

-Accrue knowledge