Sensory ideas for home

Some children need more movement, touch and sound to feel settled, and some need less. The right mix of everyday activities can help a child stay calm and focused through the day, including Sunday morning. These are starting points. If your child sees an occupational therapist, they can build a plan that fits.

Start with the schedule

• Post a written or picture schedule for the day and point to it often. Velcro-backed pictures make it easy to change.
• Avoid rushing. Easier said than done, and it matters more than almost anything else.
• Build movement into the day on purpose.
• Pick a calm time and a quiet spot for homework.

Pushing, pulling and carrying

Work that presses on the muscles and joints is calming for almost every child. Try:

• Jumping on a trampoline or hopscotch
• Carrying books or a laundry basket
• Vacuuming or wiping down the table
• Wall push-ups or chair push-ups
• Animal walks, marching, leap frog
• Tug-of-war or play wrestling
• Stirring and kneading dough
• Crawling through couch cushions
• Big bear hugs or a weighted lap pad

Spinning and swinging

• Swinging, back and forth or spinning
• Rolling down a hill
• Hanging upside down off the couch
• Somersaults and cartwheels
• Merry-go-rounds and roller coasters

Slow, steady movement usually calms. Fast or spinning movement usually wakes a child up. Watch what your child seeks and what they avoid.

Touch

• Shaving cream, sand or soap play
• Bins of rice or dried beans
• Play dough or mixing batter by hand
• Gardening
• Dress-up with different textures

Sound and sight

• Go outside and name every sound you hear. Play listening games. Let your child control the volume.
• A white noise machine or quiet music during activities smooths out sudden sounds.
• If your child is easily distracted by what they see, simplify the room: hide clutter in bins, a solid curtain over a bookshelf, solid colors instead of patterns.
• If your child seems tuned out, do the opposite and add bright, interesting things to look at.

Smell and taste

• Lavender and vanilla tend to calm. Peppermint and lemon tend to wake up. Explore with your child and notice what works.
• Strong flavors before a meal can make a child more willing to try new foods. So can helping cook it.
• Frozen treats and fizzy drinks wake up the mouth. Play with food. Make trying new things fun instead of a battle.

Clothes and food sensitivities

• Tag-free shirts, seam-free socks and soft pants solve more mornings than you'd expect.
• Give choices whenever you can.
• Put one food you know they'll eat on every plate, and keep offering the others without pressure. Mealtime shouldn't be a fight.
• If your child's eating is very limited, talk with their doctor, therapist or a dietitian rather than pushing through it alone.