Greetings Preschool Families,
As we enter this season of shortened days, colder temperatures and holidays, it can feel more challenging to provide the large muscle activity children crave year round. You may feel that your child(ren) seems more physically active or “wound up” within the house at this time of year. Read on to learn more about how to support their development during this time:
Sensory integration involves children perceiving, modulating, organizing, and interpreting the sensations they experience by interacting with the environment around them (furnishings, noises, pace of activity, new people, etc.) to optimize their participation within that environment. Sensory integration activities can prompt the brain to process sensory information more effectively, helping the child respond more appropriately to the environment. Well-regulated and appropriately functioning sensory systems contribute to important outcomes in social-emotional, physical and motor, communication, self-care, cognitive, and adaptive skills development and maintenance.
Children with sensory modulation difficulties may be:
Under responsive to sensory stimulation, some children described as “shutting down”
Over responsive to sensory stimulation, some children described as “wound up” or “out of control” of their own bodies
*For Infants and Toddlers provide opportunities to facilitate effective self-regulation (wake–sleep cycles, alertness level, self-soothing), motor development, and adaptive behavior. These interventions allow children to focus on development, in the areas of play, sleep, mealtime routines, and socialization with others.
*For Preschool aged children provide opportunities to engage in a variety of sensory-based
approaches (examples below) to support engagement and participation in daily routines, being independent with self-care skills, progressing at school, playing, making friends, and focusing in order to learn.
Here are a few simple ideas to help you get started
Creating a Safe Sensory Corner -
A “sensory corner” can provide stimulation to the under-responsive child, sensory input for the sensory seeking child, and a safe retreat for the sensory defensive child. Make a Sensory Corner by blocking off a corner of the room and using soft furnishings with a variety of textures. A big comfy beanbag or pillow provides wonderful deep pressure and a snuggly effect, which can be very calming.
-Some children find a lava lamp or fish aquarium soothing to look at, and others appreciate having headphones with which they can listen to soft soothing music.
-A sensory box in the corner filled with objects that have different textures and weights can be useful for your child (a variety of objects e.g. smooth wood, velvet, squishy textures and stretchy objects, until your child discovers a favorite object or two). Fiddling with or touching these objects could be soothing for an over-stimulated child, or calming for a child who is “wound up” and sensory seeking.
Proprioceptive Activities - Information from the muscles and joints is called proprioception.
Proprioceptive activities can be passive, where deep pressure is given to the child, or active, where the child actively takes part in a heavy work activity. Proprioceptive activities are excellent sensory integration activities for kids who are always craving movement and crashing into things. They can also help stimulate a lethargic child. Jumping on a trampoline, climbing on playground equipment, carrying groceries, sweeping the floor or raking the yard, digging in the garden are good examples of proprioceptive input.
Vestibular Activities:
Most movement activities will stimulate the vestibular system in the inner ear, which helps the body to know how it is moving and how fast it is moving.
Depending on their intensity, vestibular activities can be stimulating for an under-responsive child, or calming for a sensory seeking or over-responsive child. Trampolines, rocking horses, swings, roundabouts or slides are all good vestibular activities. A child who is gravitationally insecure may fear movement and avoid escalators, elevators and playground apparatus. They need to experience very gentle, safe movement.
Oral Motor Activities-
Some children chew excessively on clothing, pencils and other inappropriate objects.
They are usually seeking tactile and proprioceptive input through their mouths, perhaps to help themselves concentrate or to reduce anxiety. Blowing bubbles in a bowl of water with a straw, drinking thick milkshake/yogurt through a
straw and blowing on harmonicas are activities that can help meet a child’s oral-motor needs.
Some kids benefit from chewing gum, while others need something more durable.
In closing, when we can focus on how something makes a child feel (physically as well as emotionally), we can more specifically acknowledge their achievements and success. Our very own, Miss Joanne models this daily by saying, “You must be proud of yourself!” Instead of telling the children how proud she is of them, her comment fosters a sense of self-love and strong self-esteem.
Have a wonderful weekend,
MaryBeth Kinkead
Natick Preschool Principal
