Meet the Team
Kristy Gross, M.S.P.T.
Physical Therapist & Co-Owner of 321 Sensory
I am a physical therapist, and have been with Lakota School District since 2006 and have more than 20 years of pediatric experience. As a motor team, we noticed that as school demands increase, students spend more time sitting, and there was a clear need for children to have an easy way to get movement incorporated throughout their day. Sensory paths became the solution! I contacted Amy, a graphic designer, and we laid out the first path. Since then, we’ve installed themed vinyl paths in 11 different schools, and they are used daily. Children have fun while unknowingly accomplishing critical therapy goals! Often, our special needs students require multiple brain breaks throughout the day, and a work out through the path is the perfect solution. Our physical and occupational therapists use the paths to address goals of particular motor skills, motor planning and sensory regulation.
“We truly believe that sensory activities are not just fun—they are fundamental to a child’s holistic development. Our small business mission is to help every child reach their fullest potential. “
– Kristy and Amy
Amy Griffith
Creative Director & Co-Owner of 321 Sensory
Without a doubt, in my 37 years of graphic design, the sensory paths are the most fulfilling projects I’ve worked on! I love the idea of using graphics to motivate students to move, which in turn, improves their physical agility and mental focus. I thought it would be fun to take the idea of a motor path being made of basic geometric elements and place them in a more dramatic theme – instead of a series of green circles, let’s create a pond and change the circles to lilypads. It’s easier for students to engage their imaginations (brain break), if they see graphics that encourage them to do so. School therapists agree the benefits are readily apparent as children engage and enjoy the experience.
