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SENSORY INTEGRATION ACTIVITIES

The following activities relating to the three primary sensory systems are suggested to promote the enhancement of sensory integration:

Sense of touch - tactile perception: ability to distinguish various objects through touch and pressure. (Some children will crave these activities; some children will show no reaction; some children may display adverse reactions to these activities).

brushing with therepeutic brush
massage
tactile boxes (ie. beans, lentils, rice, sand, water, clay-sand, snow).
making slime
arts and crafts projects
squishy balls
squishy pillows
foot & finger paints
clay
mud pies
flour and water (play dough)
feely-meely box - box with hand sized opening used to explore familiar objects without vision
drawing with hands in sand, oatmeal, cream, playdough, etc.
using a terrycloth towel to dry off
having the child rub different parts of his body with various textures such as corduroy, terry cloth, fur, velvet, etc.
textured positioning cushion.

Vestibular sense - sensory receptors in the middle ear give your child information about movement, gravity, and vibration.

rolling on pillows
swinging
spinning on tire/sit' n spin/Dizzy Disc Jr.
jumping on trampolene
scooterboards
scooter/bicycle
seesaw
merry-go-round
rocking chair
swivel chair
hoppity hop
jump rope
sports

Senses provided from muscles and joints (proprioception) - the internal sense that tells you where your body parts are without your having to look at them. This internal body awareness relies on receptors in your joints, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue. (Some children will crave these activities; some will show no reaction)

pushing, pulling, carrying heavy objects
jumping on trampoline
hanging and swinging from bars/Monkey Bars
hopping on flat surfaces - hopscotch
tumbling activities: forward rolling, backwards
roll, log roll, etc.
crawling on stomach; on arms and elbows; on hands and knees/use of tunnels
wheelbarrow walks
clapping games
catching medicine ball
"magic room" - isometric activities - ask children if there is some way they can make the room larger (pushing walls with body parts)
moving furniture, books, re-arranging tables
wearing weighted garments/weighted blankets
finger and hand weights

Motor planning is the ability to conceptualize, plan, and perform an unfamiliar motor action. It requires integrated input from the senses in order to organize and execute movement. The following activities are suggested to aid the child in spontaneous motor planning movement:

animal walks: elephant, crab, duck, rabbit, frog, kangaroo
jump rope
hopping
crawling under objects, through objects, over objects, etc.
statue game - quick change of positions
Simon Says
obstacle courses
scooter board games
kicking balloons or balls, soccer.
fine motor activities
arts and crafts
sports