UNIPMA — The Guidance and Counseling (BK) Study Program at Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA) introduced an innovation called the “Sensory Counseling Box” to the Madiun Regency Guidance and Counseling Teachers’ Forum (MGBK) on Thursday (6/8). The innovation is designed to help educators provide more adaptive support, particularly for students with special needs.

The program was carried out by a community service team consisting of Dr. Rischa Pramudia Trisnani, M.Pd. as the team leader, along with Silvia Yula Wardani, M.Pd. and Dr. Noviyanti Kartika Dewi, M.Pd. as members. All three are lecturers in the UNIPMA Guidance and Counseling Study Program who provided training and mentoring to the participants.

The training was based on the need for a counseling approach that does not rely solely on verbal communication. Each student has different ways of recognizing and expressing their emotional condition, making appropriate supporting tools necessary.

Dr. Rischa Pramudia Trisnani, M.Pd., stated that sensory tools can serve as an alternative when conversational approaches are not sufficient. “Some students need media that can help them feel more comfortable and express their emotions,” she said.

The Sensory Counseling Box contains several simple tools, such as stress balls, emotion cards, textured objects, educational games, and relaxation tools. These tools can be used to help children recognize their feelings, reduce tension, and create a more comfortable atmosphere during counseling sessions.

In its implementation, the team not only introduced the tools but also provided training on how to use them. Participants were encouraged to understand the function of each component and adjust its use according to the child’s condition.

The sensory approach is not limited to students with special needs. These tools can also be used in certain situations when children need alternative ways to express their feelings or manage their emotions.

Dr. Rischa Pramudia Trisnani, M.Pd., expressed hope that the knowledge gained could be applied and further developed after the training. According to her, supporting tools will be more meaningful when their use is adapted to each individual’s characteristics and needs.

“Teachers are expected to become more confident and skilled in providing services that are friendly, adaptive, creative, and suited to the needs of each student,” she said.

Through the introduction of this innovation, the UNIPMA Guidance and Counseling Study Program encourages the development of more inclusive guidance and counseling services in schools. Diverse approaches are expected to provide every child with opportunities to receive support according to their individual needs.