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Sensory Motor
- Pull laundry out of the washer and/or dryer
- Rake leaves
- Help cook in the kitchen - stir thick batter, knead pizza dough, use rolling pin
- Squeeze or stretch play dough, silly putty or therapy putty (can hide small objects in dough or putty and have child find)
- Dig in a garden
- Help water flowers using a watering can
- Use a hole punch to make confetti out of paper
- Play on a swing set: climb up a slide, Hang from the monkey bars
- Have a pillow fight
- Jump or crash into a bed mattress, large beanbag pillows or couch cushions
- Get sandwiched between couch cushions (make a “child’s name” sandwich)
- Roll exercise ball from head to feet while child is on their tummy
- Log roll on floor from one end of room to the other
- Play hopscotch
- Ride bike or scooter
- Ride a scooter board on tummy and use hands/feet to propel forward
- Push peer or adult on a swing
- Pull a wagon filled with objects or with a person riding in it
- Crab walk, bear walk and/or army crawl
- Blow bubbles, kazoo, harmonica, whistle, pinwheel or similar items
- Balance beanbags on shoulders or head and walk across the room
- Teach the use of wall push-ups or the idea of "the room feels small this morning, can you help me push the walls out”
- Shaving cream (can practice writing letters or numbers, drawing, etc.)
- Jump on a trampoline or jumping jacks
- Play Simon Says
- Make an obstacle course
* Please be safe and practice safe screen time. Remember the 20-20-20 rule. After 20 min of screen time, take a break, get up and stretch, look away from your screen for at least 20 seconds and focus on something 20 feet away.
* Get plenty of exercise and fresh air. Even if it is a brisk 10 minute walk it is great for your brain.
* Also, drink water while working. Water is very alerting to the brain and is needed to form new synapses (the pathways that help you remember). If you need a visual break, print material out and do it pencil and paper, if you have a printer you can scan it back in or take a picture with your ipad and upload it to turn it in. Contact your OT and/or your teacher if paper and pencil is your preference and we will work with you to help you work through that process wherever possible. :)
Check out these online resources
35 Mess Free Sensory Play Activities: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/35-mess-free-sensory-play-activities-for-kids/
50 Sensory Ideas for Small Spaces: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/50-sensory-ideas-small-spaces/
25 Heavy Work Activities for Small Spaces: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/25-heavy-work-activities-small-spaces/
Simplest Calming Sensory Trick: Deep Pressure: https://theinspiredtreehouse.com/simplest-calming-sensory-trick-deep-pressure/