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Activities for Chidren With Sensory Problems

Tolerating different sensory experiences is a struggle for some children. They may have trouble with feeling confined or experiencing different types of motion, such as swinging or spinning. Other children don't like the way certain textures feel on their fingers. If you are working with children with sensory processing problems, introduce these sensory experiences and allow students to learn to tolerate them at their own speed.
  1. Activity Stations

    • Active play is one way to help children with sensory integration problems. Set up a series of activity stations that engage the senses, then have your students take turns playing at each one. A small trampoline, a tunnel for your students to crawl through and a table full of sand or water for them to dip their fingers in are all good ideas.

    Sticky Stuff

    • Students with sensory integration problems may struggle with the sensation of sticky, wet or cold on their fingers. Make these textures fun, and give the student a chance to approach them as a game, and they'll learn to tolerate the sensations. Handling commercial or homemade clay or goop made from corn starch and water encourages students to get dirty and slimy and learn to handle the sensation.

    Handwriting Club

    • For older students who have sensory issues that affect their handwriting, a club where they can get together and work as a group might help. For some students, the act of holding a pencil correctly or the feel of their hands being held in the proper position is difficult. Students can get together during part of their lunch time or before or after school and practice the skills necessary for handwriting. Allow them to write with fun or unusual items, such as sidewalk chalk or scented markers.

    Texture Scavenger Hunt

    • For young students who struggle with the sensation of different textures, making a game out of experiencing those textures might help. Send your students on a scavenger hunt to find something soft, scratchy, sticky and smooth. They will have to touch the objects to judge their texture. Ask students to describe what a texture feels like and let them take their time exploring it once they find something that fits the bill.

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