With Memorial Day Weekend coming up, summertime feels like it is officially starting. There are so many ways you can encourage what your child has been working on in school and/or therapy in the summertime just by virtue of play. Below are some of our top ideas!
-Barefoot: Playing outside barefoot (on any safe surface) is an excellent way to build strength, provide sensory input and literally “ground” your child”. As often as possible allow your child to play barefoot (when safe) outdoors. You can discuss the different textures your child may be feeling such as hot concrete, itchy grass or spikey woodchips.
-Water Play: Whether it is swimming in a full-on pool, using a kiddie pool, playing with a water table, playing with a sprinkler or watering the garden…Water play is an excellent sensory activity this summer. When one’s body is submerged in water (such as when swimming) you are getting tons of input about where your body is in space (proprioceptive input) as well as strengthening the core and shoulder girdle. Basically, it is an OT’s dream activity! Even when engaging in smaller water play (such as the other ideas listed above) a body is still getting opportunities for exploration and strengthening all at the same time.
-Gardening: Gardening is a great way to sneak in some OT skills. When watering plants (using a hose or watering can) a child is working on wrist/arm strengthening. Weeding is a great fine motor task. Pinching and planting seeds is another fine motor strengthening task. Have your child walk around your yard or neighborhood and spray plants with a water bottle to sneak in some more fine motor strengthening.
-Outdoor chalk: Sidewalk chalk can be used to practice letters of one’s name, make a hopscotch board or just plain old draw. You can also take your indoor easel outside to change things up. When your child cleans up have them spray the easel with a water bottle to sneak in a little extra fine motor strengthening. Sitting down to practice math or letters at the kitchen table or desk can cause kids to want to scream in the summer. But somehow doing it in the middle of one’s driveway feels a lot better!
-Taking walks: Something as simple as taking a walk can have tremendous sensory benefits. Obviously, the movement is really helpful to one’s body. If your child is a big seeker and needs extra input that day have them push, pull or carry something with a bit of weight on it. While you are walking you can have your child notice all of the sensations they are experiencing around them (how does the air feel, is it sunny or cloudy, what do they hear, what do they smell, etc.).
-Bubbles and ice pops: For children who crave oral sensory input these activities are amazing (and even if your child isn’t a seeker in this area, they are still fun!). Blowing bubbles is a wonderful way to strengthen muscles around the mouth and provide some sensory input. Sucking on an ice pop provides a huge amount of oral sensory input from the sucking and the cold. You can also try a variety of foods eaten differently outside. For example, watermelon or oranges cut into wedges versus pieces (let kids get a bit messy). Lemonade can be freshly squeezed outside (the cold and sour will provide an intense sensory experience) and for older kids a lemonade sale is always fun!
-Sand and mud: Whether it’s a beach day, a sand box, a container of sand or just a rainy day, get this messy play in outside while you can! You can practice drawing letters/numbers in sand or mud. Or just sit back and watch your child’s imagination get going. Digging, pouring and shoveling are all wonderful for fine motor strengthening. All of the tactile input is great for sensory play as well! I know mud seems a little silly, but if you can let go of the mess anxiety, let them get out there and get muddy on rainy days. Another wonderful (and not as common) sensory experience.
We hope everyone enjoys their summer! Send us your photos of outdoor play and the newsletter will be back in the fall!
Written by Jessica Addeo
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