Essef Board

The ESSEF Board By Dr. Lilli Nielsen

A young girl sits independently on an Essef Board while playing with objects on an Activity Wall.
A young girl sits independently on an Essef Board while playing with objects on an Activity Wall.

Many handicapped children perform all too few leg and feet movements, and many children have difficulty in learning to keep their balance. The “Essef Board” may diminish these problems.

While sitting on the lap of an adult, on a chair, or in a wheelchair the child can kick against the “Essef Board” standing on the floor. By means of the holes in the board the “Essef Board” can be hung on the wall serving as a background for kicking games for a child in the supine position or for pushing games for a sitting child using back or hands.

The “Essef Board” can of course also be used for jumping either with support from an adult or while the child holds onto, for example, a wall bar.

On top of the “Essef Board” can be placed several toys that will “dance” when the child activates the spring, by beating or pushing on the board.

The upper board can be provided with netting or, ruffled plastic. This produces an effect of an interesting haptic stimulus at the feet. Also the ruffled plastic and be used to make noise with the fingers or other objects.

References:

Lilli Nielsen, 1993, SIKON: Early Learning – Step by Step.

Lilli Nielsen, 1998, SIKON: The FIELA Curriculum – 730 Learning Environments.

Videos of the Essef Board

Below are a number of videos showing how the Essef Board can be used. 

Using an Essef Board While Lying on a Swing

Description: Examples of Active Learning materials: Essef board.

Rocking and Jumping on an Essef Board

Description: Examples of Active Learning materials: Essef board.

 

Kayden Sitting on an Essef Board

Description: Kayden explores hand bells and a musical mat while seated on an Essef Board.

Using an Essef Board While on a Hammock Swing

Description: A girl sits in a hammock swing and uses her legs and feet to push off an Essef Board placed in a stand.


Zain Using a Sand Tray on Essef Boards

Description: Essef boards used to balance an activity tray.

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Downloads:


Vincent Using a HOPSA Dress and Essef Board

Description: Teenager using a HOPSA dress and Essef Board.


Collage of using an Essef Board