#  >> K-12 >> K-12 For Educators

Sensory Regulation Activities

Children with a regulation disorder of sensory processing fall into three categories: hypersensitive, hyposensitive and impulsive. The hypersensitive child has increased sensitivity to light, sounds, touch and textures, while the hyposensitive child is unresponsive to sensory stimulation. The impulsive child seeks sensory input, which often leads to a lack of physical awareness. All three of these sensory processing disorders affect childrens' behavior in preschool classrooms, limiting their social and emotional development. Teachers and occupational therapists can use sensory regulation activities to help these children better function in the classroom.
  1. Pressure Activities

    • For hypersensitive children, light touch affects them negatively, and they seek firm pressure. You can swaddle them tightly for nap time or even provide them with a weighted blanket. Throughout the day, they might feel comfortable wearing Ace bandages wrapped firmly around their arms or legs. Provide hyposensitive and impulsive children with sensory-rich materials to work with, such as sandpaper or bubble wrap.

    Sound Activities

    • Children with hypersensitivity need quiet relaxing spaces they can retreat to throughout the day. Consider their sensory needs when selecting music to play or sing in the classroom, finding tones that won't overwhelm them. Gradually increase the intensity of sounds to ease their reactions. Practice making sounds with the hyposensitive and impulsive children, moving from loud to soft and fast to slow noises.

    Motor Control Activities

    • Children with sensory processing disorders need to work at building gross and fine motor control. Provide them with busy work for their hands, such as molding play dough, popping bubble wrap or stringing necklaces. If they resist an activity due to a certain texture, give them gradual opportunities to get comfortable with it. To improve gross motor and balance, give children opportunities to rock in a swing, kick a ball or run in large spaces. Practice walking slow and fast in a narrow lane with impulsive children to help them gain control and recognize personal space.

    Environment Regulation

    • Consider the sensory limitations of children when designing elements of your classroom. Try to use dim lights for and have shades for the windows to accommodate hypersensitive children, and select rugs and furniture with smooth and mild textures. Provide a classroom with open space for the impulsive children to move freely. When seating children at circle time or at the lunch table, give them adequate space as to not overwhelm the hypersensitive students.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved