While all children can seem particular about their likes and dislikes, children with sensory processing disorder (also called sensory integration dysfunction) will be so severely affected by their sensory preferences that it interferes with their normal, everyday functioning. Treatment for sensory processing disorder is a fun, play-based intervention that takes place in a sensory-rich environment typically under the guidance of an occupational therapist. Many families have requested more information about this topic and we thought summer was ideal time to share some therapist-recommended and kid-approved sensory activities that can be a fun way for any child to develop sensory processing skills.
What is sensory processing?
Remember those five senses you learned about in elementary school – sight, sound, touch, taste and smell? Being able to process information from the “five senses” is crucial to a child’s world and an important part of child development. Sensory information is how we learn from our surroundings, and how we interact with our environment. Sensory processing involves the ability of a child’s central nervous system to organize sensory feedback from the child’s body and surroundings in order to make appropriate behavioral responses. As children grow they are constantly exploring new sensory information. This information continues to expand the knowledge their sensory system relies on to react appropriately to their environment. A healthy sensory system allows a child maintain attention to tasks, respond to what is happening around them, and engage in positive social interactions. A developed sensory system is crucial to a child’s successful engagement with the world.
What is sensory play?
The term sensory play describes a variety of creative, play and movement-based activities that help children develop their sensory processing skills. Sensory play is a great developmental tool for all children, no matter how they handle sensory input. Sensory play can also be particularly helpful for children whose oversensitivity to sensory information, or need for extra sensory input, is affecting daily routines.
Sensory play activities
Below are descriptions of two specific areas related to sensory processing (sensory regulation and sensory defensiveness) and related sensory play activities recommended by occupational therapist Katie DeWeerd.
Sensory regulation & fun “heavy work” activities
Giving a child’s muscles extra “heavy work” or deep pressure can change the way their body feels and help a child develop body awareness. This type of activity affects the part of the sensory system that manages proprioceptive input (our body’s ability to sense where we are in relation to our surroundings). This input comes from receptors in the muscles and joints and activating these receptors can help a child who is usually very hyperactive to calm down and focus. It can also help a child who is sensitive and anxious about touch, sound or movement to calm down enough so that they can better handle a new place or a new activity. Here are some fun heavy work activities you can try at home:
Wall push-over: Have child stand with both hands on the wall, shoulder-width apart, and tell them to try and push the wall over to the count of 20. Join in, acting silly and demonstrating how to put all your body weight into the pushing. Repeat this five times or more, counting to 20 each time. Continue this activity by trying to push with a different part of your body (shoulders, hips, back, etc.).
Tortilla roll: Pile up a variety of pillows and fluffy comforters. Let one child roll off the couch carefully into the pile. After several turns, roll the child up like a tortilla in a comforter and then pull one end to unroll the child quickly!
Heavy loads: Have your child be a helper for a day that just happens to be full of heavy lifting chores! They can carry large soft drink bottles from the hallway to the pantry, carry a laundry basket from room to room filling it with books along the way, or stack all canned goods from the floor of the pantry to a