Sensory integration is the process by which our brain takes in, organizes, and responds to sensory information from our environment. For kids, this means being able to manage the sights, sounds, textures, and movements they encounter each day. This process is dependent upon the efficient integration of the information coming into all of the sensory systems, the environmental situation and demands, and the child’s own personality and reactions. When a child has trouble with sensory integration, they might seek out certain input or sensations, avoid input, show more sensitivity to certain types of input than others, or they might need more input to notice what’s going on around them.  In occupational therapy, we work on helping children process these sensory experiences in a balanced way. We aim to help kids understand what their bodies need, and help parents and caregivers be able to support their child’s sensory processing needs. Through carefully designed activities like swinging, deep pressure input, or tactile play, we support kids in learning to respond more comfortably and calmly to the world around them.  We often create “sensory diets” for our clients, which are not foods that they eat but activities they engage in throughout the course of the day to help them feel their best. Strong sensory integration can help kids participate better at home, school, and in social settings, giving them the tools to feel safe, regulated, and ready to learn and play.

Activities to Complete at Home:

  1. Playing with shaving cream, moon sand, pudding, cool whip, gak and other gooey textures to use with their hand, toys, and other objects.DSC_0198
  2. Wheelbarrow walking throughout the house or outside
  3. Blowing and popping bubbles
  4. Jumping on a trampoline
  5. Swinging
  6. Finger painting
  7. Rolling child up in a blanket or squishing with cushions and pillows to give a deep pressure sensation
  8. Dragging or lifting heavy objects
  9. Playing in bins filled with rice, beans, buttons, sand, popcorn kernels etc.
  10. Animal walks such as crab, bear, snake, frog jumps etc.
  11. Playing on a playground or jungle gym
  12. Tossing/throwing balls with textured surfaces such as bumps and ridgesimage
  13. Going barefoot and walking/playing on different textures/surfaces (grass, pavement, sandpaper, rocks, sand, netting, etc)
  14. Play with food such as cooked pasta, potatoes, condiments, etc.
  15. Yard work (raking, gardening, digging)
  16. Writing/Drawing with chalk
  17. Create sensory balls out of balloons and filled with different things such as flour, rice, beads
  18. Arts and crafts projects
  19. Swimming or playing at the beach
  20. Creating a homemade lava lamp with water, oil and food coloring inside of a clear plastic container.

 

 

*Please note that sensory recommendations for home should be used thoughtfully and cautiously, as each child’s needs are unique, and overuse or misuse can lead to overstimulation or dysregulation.  Once starting OT, your child’s therapist can help figure out when to best engage your child in these activities throughout their day to maximize the therapeutic benefits.