Transitions are hard, and for many of our students, transitioning seasons and back to school at the same time can be a challenging time.
Sometimes, sensory play is a perfect activity to fit into an after-school routine or a weekend to help your child decompress as they readjust to the school year. Sensory play not only keeps your child entertained, but also supports sensory integration, which is crucial for neurodivergent children. In addition, these activities provide essential stimulation that helps your child regulate their emotions and behaviors, enhancing their overall development.
Take a look at some sensory play ideas from our team.
- Backyard Sensory Adventures
Your backyard can easily be transformed into a sensory playground. Let your child slide down a grassy hill, set up a mud kitchen with old pots and pans, or create nature “soup” from water, grass, fallen leaves, flower petals, and sticks. You are encouraging imaginative play while also stimulating their sense of touch and smell.
Encourage them to practice cartwheels or tumbles on the grass to improve gross motor skills and help their vestibular system. Set up a swing or hammock to soothe and regulate their sensory needs. Add some heavy work by asking them to rake leaves, then have them jump into the pile they created. All of these activities are low- or no-cost, and have enormous benefits for your child.
- Nature Walks
A simple local nature walk can be a fantastic sensory and learning experience, or even a chance to bond with an older child. Take walks in your neighborhood, and encourage your child to collect various items they find interesting. There are plenty in the Northeast this time of year!
Use this opportunity to engage their senses by talking about the textures, colors, and uses of each item, which will help their sensory processing skills, as well as cognitive development.
If your child is older, extend the activity by working with them to identify plants or animals, use apps to classify them, or have them organize their findings in different ways. By doing this, an enriching sensory experience also builds vocabulary and classification skills.
- Sensory Bins for Older Kids
When many of us think of sensory bins, our minds often drift to the little ones. However, sensory bins can also provide a soothing and engaging experience for our older kids, especially when designed to challenge their more developed senses and cater to more advanced skills.
These bins can be tailored with a fall theme, using scents and textures from the season. Consider filling a bin with dried corn, cinnamon sticks, and acorns to engage the tactile sense, or adding leaves of various textures. Include items like tweezers or tongs that require more sophisticated motor skills, or put the bin next to their homework so they have something that relaxes them in a sometimes stressful space. Even challenge them to do something creative with it, like making a fall landscape.
- Arts and Crafts
Crafting and art projects can be an enjoyable way to engage the senses while building confidence. Younger children might enjoy transforming the bathtub into an art studio, with bath-safe paints or crayons, soap, or shaving cream, at the end of a long day. Older children might love coming home to craft supplies set out for them without any instructions, allowing them to just express themselves after hours of following other peoples’ instructions. Either way, your child has an excellent outlet for self-expression and emotional regulation, and is bound to feel pride afterwards.
Remember, every child is unique, and the key is to find what best suits your child’s preferences and needs. It’s important to observe and adjust your approach based on their reactions and their overall mood.
Our one-of-a-kind program offers our students daily rich sensory experiences and provides tailored plans and activities designed specifically for each child. To learn more about what West Hills Academy can offer your child, reach out here.
Resources:
https://www.theottoolbox.com/outdoor-sensory-diet-activities-for-backyard/
https://outsidethetoybox.com/awesome-autumn-sensory-bin-ideas/
