OT Activity of the Day:
Sensory Ideas
Target Age Range: 2 and up
This post is for the many kiddos who need a little extra movement during the day. I will often have parents talk to me about how "fidgety" their kids appears, or that their child has a hard time calming down at night, or they're just always on the move. While our therapy will often focus on establishing an individualized sensory diet, I do have a few "go-tos".
In this picture I have a "crash pad" that I have created out of extra throw pillows and a fitted sheet, I have a hippity hop, and I also have a scooter board. Without getting technical, these three items will generally provide most children with the input they are seeking. The best part is, these items are easily added into any daily routine. For example, I may play a game with the hippity hop and crash pad. I might set the cards of a game, like Candyland, on one side of the room and have the child hop on the hippity hop to the pillows, then jump into the pillows, grab a card from the other side of the pillows, and then ride the hippity hop back to take their turn. You can easily substitute the scooter board in this scenario. Again, this is just one example.
As always, if you feel like your child can relate and seems to need more movement than other children their age, don't hesitate to reach out to an OT. Occupational therapy can help provide you and your child with strategies that you can use on a daily basis to assist in your child's regulation.
Enjoy!