School’s sensory room sparks memory of special boy

Mina Lopato Nursery School officially opened a sensory room on 16 May which aims to benefit not only neurodivergent children, but every child in the school.

The decision to create the room followed tragic news received on 18 December 2024 that one of the school’s pupils had passed away. He was a little boy on the autism spectrum who had been doing incredibly well.

The school community felt devastated, and wanted to do something about it. The day before school began in January 2025, the school’s staff visited The Sensory-Space in Braamfontein, a place that assists children on the autism spectrum.

The ocean exhibits made them feel emotional as they knew that had this little boy been with them, he would have loved the experience as he had a fascination with ocean animals.

They decided to create a similar sensory area in the school. Following five months of collaboration, brainstorming ,and projects using upcycled material as well as items generously donated by Mina Lopato’s parents, the sensory room was opened in May, just two days before what would have been this little boy’s fifth birthday, and given its name: Mano’s Marine Sanctuary.

About 20 family members from different parts of the country attended, and his parents were given the honour of cutting the ribbon. The sensory room is now officially being included into the preschool curriculum.