Tips for Traveling with Kids during the Summer!
As summer approaches planning family trips, whether it’s a road trip to the Poconos or a plane
ride to Disneyland, always guarantees a fun summer full of amazing memories. Sometimes
traveling to our destination takes a long time, making it difficult for kids to get their needs met
while in a confined space for a long period of time. This can result in sensory overload or a lack
of sensory input and lead to meltdowns. Below is a list of ideas you can use to provide your
child with adequate sensory input in order to limit meltdowns and make more family
memories.
Holiday Toy List
Holidays are a great time to stock up on your kids favorite things! But where do you start!? If you are looking for some guidance to find some FUN and FUNctional toys this holiday season check out some OT-approved toys and games;(As always: speak with your child’s therapist to get suggestions regarding their specific needs and preferences!)
FALL FUN ACTIVITIES
With the fall season in full-swing, there are so many ways to get your child engaged in a variety of sensory experiences. This season brings about so many changes; from the weather, falling leaves, fresh harvests, warmer clothing, to the time that the sun sets. Allowing children to explore the elements of their surroundings helps them = engage each of their senses, which in turn helps them process and make sense of the world around them. Understanding the differences that come along with each season will help your child learn about change over the course of the year.
Say Yes to the Mess
A child’s job is to play and, guess what? They LEARN through play. Learning through play does not only mean playing with toys. It means allowing your child to play with food, too. Why is this important? It is important because eating is one of the most complex activities we do as humans. It involves ALL of our senses-sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste and even our “hidden sense” of proprioception as we grade how much force to use when grasping food. There are 2 other “hidden senses” in addition to proprioception (vestibular, interoceptive) that are also involved, but we can save talking about those in more detail for another day. By allowing your child opportunities to play with and explore a variety of foods, the more you are EXPOSING them to the sensory aspects of the food. Over time, EXPOSURE leads to ACCEPTANCE.
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!
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).
Stress- Free Holidays
No one can argue – the holidays bring such beautiful, special, enlightening, warm times. However, we also can’t argue that they are busy! From socializing, planning, shopping, decorating, hosting, writing cards, and more, the holidays can definitely be a source of, however much worth it, STRESS! If we are feeling the pressure, there is no […]
