Benefits of Obstacle Courses
When you think of obstacle courses you may envision things like Ninja Warrior or Wipe Out but they are also a fun game for kids to play. Not only are obstacle courses a game but they are a great way to work on a variety of skills including motor planning, bilateral coordination, and sensory integration!
The Many Benefits of Playing in the Snow
As the season of winter is vastly approaching, snow is (potentially) in the air! While we may want to stay indoors when it is snowing, playing in the snow actually has many benefits to a child’s development (once bundled up, of course!). Playing, moving around, building and creating in the snow provides opportunities for gross and fine motor skill development, coordination, body awareness, problem-solving, and even social skills. Not to mention an overall great activity to provide sensory input.
Cooking With Kids for Thanksgiving
Cooking with kids around the holidays is a fun activity that many parents and children enjoy doing together. Encouraging cooking skills is a great way to support a child’s independence and prepare them for adulthood. Performing tasks such as scooping, kneading, cutting, chopping, and shredding are great ways to develop fine motor skills and coordination. In addition, following a recipe teaches children how to follow directions and sequence steps. Some tips for cooking with your children this Thanksgiving include:
Cold Weather Clothing
The leaves have begun to fall and it’s time to dig out the long sleeves, pants and jackets. For a kid who struggles with sensory processing, especially tactile defensiveness, this time of year may cause increased stress and anxiety. For a child on the Autism spectrum or with other tactile difficulties, tags, textures and seams may cause complete meltdown. Luckily many clothing brands have recognized this difficulty and have attempted to ease the transition between seasons.
Tips & Strategies to Prevent a Halloween Meltdown
Halloween can be a very overstimulating for kids especially finding a comfortable costume to loud and crowded places. Here are some tips on different ways to prevent meltdowns during this fun and exciting time of year. Here are some strategies to help your child pick a costume.
Tips and Tricks to Avoid the After School Meltdown
School is back and session! During school kids are expected to sit for a majority of the day and this can be challenging for most, especially for those with sensory processing difficulties. Here are some tips and tricks to help avoid that after school meltdown while also getting homework done.
Beach Time Heavy Work
Heavy work, or proprioceptive input, helps to provide the muscles and joints with calming and organizing deep touch pressure. This input can also help to encourage body awareness by allowing for input that helps you to identify where your body is in space. Summer is a time for relaxation, fun, and adventure! No matter where you are or what summer adventures you choose to explore, having activities to encourage heavy work is important to have on hand!
Benefits of Crawling
Why is crawling so important? Crawling is an important part of development. Literature indicates there is a strong link between movement, the brain, and learning (Krog, 2015). As a baby begins to move around their environment, they are increasing their awareness of their surroundings, fostering their sensory-motor development as they begin to touch, explore, and see new experiences. Crawling also provides a strong foundation for the development of higher level motor skills.
Bathtime Tips
For some parents bathtime can be a fun and/or relaxing experience. For others, bathtime can be quite challenging. It often causes a negative reaction in children with sensory processing difficulties. Some things that might trigger a negative reaction in kids include: the sound of running water, water temperature, bathroom lights, the smell of soap or shampoos, fear of getting soap in the eyes, the feeling of being wet after washing, and the feeling of being towel dried. The best way to make bath time more enjoyable is to limit fears and incorporate some of your child’s favorite activities and toys.
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.