Gross Motor Activities for SUMMER
School’s out for summer! You might be wondering how to find balance between work and your
child’s free time. Here are some physical activities to burn that unused energy while addressing
your child’s motor planning, bilateral coordination, body awareness, and safety awareness!
Tips and Tricks for Summer with kids who have Sensory Processing difficulties
For many kids summertime is full of exciting experiences from the sand on the beach to the
fireworks on the fourth of July however certain summertime experiences can be challenging for
kids with sensory processing difficulties. A messy ice cream cone, a loud amusement park, or an
unfamiliar playground could be overwhelming to a child who may have certain sensitives to
sensory stimuli. With some preparation and planning, you can help make summertime enjoyable
and fun for your child with sensory processing difficulties.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition that affects how your brain processes sensory stimuli. Children with SPD will either overreact or under-react to sensory stimuli. There are 3 major patterns of SPD including Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD), Sensory-Based Motor Disorder (SBMD), and Sensory Discrimination Disorder (SDD).
What is Ayres Sensory Integration®?
Sensory integration is essential for everyday function. It refers to the ability to receive, process, organize, and respond adaptively to information received through our senses. The integration of the various sensory systems contributes to higher-level functions (Ayres, 1979). In addition, efficient sensory integration contributes to the development of motor functions, such as praxis, bilateral integration, and postural and ocular control (Schaaf & Mailloux, 2015). Thus, when a child experiences challenges with sensory integration, it may impact participation in a variety of daily activities.
Benefits of Yoga for Children
Practicing yoga has countless benefits for your child. Yoga can help develop the
physical body by increasing strength, balance, and coordination, while also benefiting
your child’s mental well being by supporting emotional regulation and boosting their
self-esteem. One of the best things about yoga is how accessible it can be! There are
tons of free classes and resources online, and with just five minutes of yoga per day you
could start to see some benefits.
Living a “Sensory Rich” Lifestyle
What are some of the things that you do daily, in order to keep yourself engaged and focused during the day? Do you need to have a mid-day snack, coffee, or walk? Do you journal everyday or participate in yoga or breathwork? What about participating in a weight lifting or cycling routine? Are you a baker or cook? The above mentioned activities are actually all common methods that people use to self-regulate!
Importance of Sleep
Restful and adequate sleep provides the foundation for optimal occupational performance, participation, and engagement in daily life, a concept that is historically consistent with the development of occupational therapy. The impact of sleep on function and participation is incorporated into the repertoire of occupational therapy practitioners and addressed across the lifespan (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014).
Sensory Bins!
Sensory bins are beneficial tools that provide children with the opportunity to learn and explore through tactile play. They can be made out of containers or tubs and are filled with specific items and materials that excite multiple senses at once. Sensory bins can be used as individual play to help a child become focused or during group play to allow children to improve their social and play skills.
Benefits of Writing on a Vertical Surface
Did you know that having your child write on a vertical surface can target many underlying skills needed for handwriting?
What is Developmental Optometry and why do we so often refer children for an evaluation?
Read on for more information on developmental optometry and why occupational therapists so often refer out.