25 POWERFUL SENSORY ACTIVITIES TO CALM AND FOCUS YOUR CHILD ALISHA GROGAN MOT, OTR/L These materials may not be reproduced and distributed. If you'd like to share with a friend or colisague please send them to inttps://dwwvbuoy.pages.infusionsoft.net ALISHA GROGA 2020 YOURKIDSTABLE.COMUse These YOUR KIDS eo" Sensory Activities Well Fable! There are countless sensory activities all around us at any moment, but as an occupational therapist | wanted to share some that | believe tend to be beneficial to the most kids. It’s very important to realize that using sensory activities to calm, focus, or regulate a child is rarely a formula. What your child responds to will vary from day to day. Not all activities will be effective or helpful for your child. It’s very important to experiment and present these activities as something fun, not something that has to get done. Sensory seeking kids typically love many of these activities and can't wait to do them. Before you proceed you must know that... Sensory activities should NEVER be forced. If your child is interested or refusing it could be that they are busy with something else at the moment. if they consistently seem upset when you try an activity then it could be an indication that they're sensitive to that type of sensation. when children show sensitivity with touching different textures or with movement like swinging or rocking on a ball, it is important to slowly help them learn to tolerate it. The really cool thing is that their sensory processing can change. Ifyou need to help your child get used to rolling on a ball then start as small as you can while creating a positive experience for them. For example, maybe they'll push the yaga ball back and forth? Or, maybe they'll roll forward a little with their knees still on the ground? ALISHA GROGAN © 2020 YOURKIDSTABLFocus on baby steps. Learn more about how to handle sensory sensiti When your child has finished a sensory activity watch how they respond: + Are they calmer? + Are they more focused? + Are they more joyful and grounded? + Are they more energetic? + Are they irritable? + Are they struggling to follow directions? If you answer yes to any of the first three bullets, then they've responded well and you'll want to try these sensory activities again. If you answer yes to the last two then you'll want to think about using the activi- ties at different times, altering them, or not trying to use that activity again in the near future. It you noticed they were more energetic, you'll have to decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. Some kids are very low energy, almost lethargic most of the time so more energy is good. But, for kids who are bouncing off the walls non-stop, energy is not the goal. Use these activities as often as your child needs or requests them. Teach your child to do these activities themselves, whenever possible. Talk to them about listening to what their body needs and how their body feels atter they participate ing targeted sensory activity. Sensory is powerful and amazing, It can change everything. If you'd like to get on the waitlist list for our new sensory program for parents coming in 2021 click here. Ni. p25 Powerful YOUR KIDS =o" Sensory Activities: Fable! L 16. Jump on a trampoline, couch, or bed (some kids will benefit from counting or singing to.a beat to help calm and not wind them up further while jumping) Put a pile of pillows on the ground, climb over the pillows and jump into them: Hang upside down over the couch, the side of the bed, or monkey bars Climb up a ladder, slide, rock wall, or even a set of steps lay on your belly and get squished under a Get wrapped up tight in a blanket like a burrito 1w or by rolling a yoga ball aver top of them, Push or pull a heavy wagon or laundry basket Swing on a porch swing, playground swing, or while laying in.a blanket that two adults hold the ends of Wheelbarrow walk Do all sorts of animal walks: slither like a snake, walk like a bear, crawl like.a crab, soar like: abird, leap like a frog, hop like a bunny, ete. Chew on teething toys (even for older kids) or chewy necklaces Drink from a straw (try cold, warm, and thick liquids) Play in a large bin of dry rice, sand, or birdseed Bake and make sure to mix the ingredients, knead, and roll out dough Paint with cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and other ground spices by mixing little water with a tablespoon of the spice. Talk about the smells and colors. Find different objects around the house and play a game of guessing the smell of the objects with eyes closed Watch a lava lamp, illuminated fish tank, or changing colors night light, in a dimly lit or dark space Lay under heavy blankets, a weight blanket, or weighted lap pad Toss a weighted ball back and forth Play music and have a dance party Create a silent space with no noise and a cozy spot to sit and look at books or just relax Ride a bike, scooter, or rollerblade Blow bubbles Do yoga poses like downward dog, cat - cow, tree pose, and cobra Use a hand-held massager that vibrates on arms and legs ALISHA GROGAN © 2020 YOURKIDSTABLE.COM