By now I am sure most of us, including myself are starting to think about what we are going to do with our kids for the next few weeks being home! Well tomorrow looks like a nice day to get outside in NJ so here are some ideas to get your kids some much needed sensory input!
Swings: Swings are a great way to get vestibular input. Here are some great games you can play with your kids to add even more!
-Superman- Have your kid lay on their belly on the swing. Hold balls or toys in front of them to reach and grab for and have them throw them in a hoop or a bucket.
-Have your child sit on the swing and hold them by the legs to swing them. It will give them some extra proprioceptive input in their legs.
-Hold a rope or a hula hoop in front of the swing with your child on their belly and have them pull to swing themselves. This will give them proprioceptive input in their upper body.
-This is usually a big no no at the park but spinning the swing to let your child spin is a great way to get vestibular input.
-Sing! For the younger kids, being in the swing is a great opportunity to practice eye contact and language skills. Sing their favorite song and have them practice singing along!
Obstacle Courses: Obstacle courses work on following directions, gross motor skills, sequencing, and depending on what you do can be a source of sensory input. Here is a list of things you may have laying around your house to use outside.
-Masking tape or a chalkline on the driveway or sidewalk to walk across like a balance beam.
-Jump rope can be tied to trees or chairs to go under or over.
-Rolling from one point to another in the grass provides vestibular input.
-Cups upside down as cones to weave in and out of.
-Hula hoops to jump in and out of.
Sensory Bins: Sensory bins are so much fun and when taken outside you don’t have to worry as much about the mess! Add some rice, pasta, beans, lentils for some fun.
-Add cups, different bowls and spoons to work on two handed play pouring back and forth and scooping skills.
-Sort pasta by shape.
-Hide acorns, toys, etc and find them.
Nature Walk/Scavenger Hunt: Scavenger hunts in nature are a fun way to use all of our senses. Have the kids use a marker to cross or check off what they found to incorporate some fine motor. Bring what you found home to explore some more with your hands. Here are some links to some printables.
Check back in with us daily as we will be posting activities to keep you and your kids occupied while working on their OT skills! We will all get through this together!
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