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You are here: Home / Archives for Sensory Regulation

Healthy Habits for Happy Kids

July 10, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn the healthy habits for happy kids! Find out the daily activities you should be doing with your child to help them feel happy, healthy, and fulfilled!

The easy part about being a parent is knowing what we want for our kids..... things like happiness, health, and fulfillment (however we define that). The tough part is figuring out … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: behavior regulation, health, sensory regulation

Educational Seek-And-Find Slime Games

June 26, 2017 by Amy Smith

Ooey gooey textures have fascinated kids for generations.  With the advent of new gooey products on the market and many DIY recipes, it's easier than ever to get your hands on some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: education, learning activities, sensory activities

Shaving Cream Balloon Face

June 15, 2017 by Amy Smith

Make a shaving cream balloon face educational by adding learning concepts like numbers, shapes, or letters underneath shaving cream on a face and wipe it away to see what's underneath! Perfect for young kids learning basic academics.

Your child will have a blast playing this game while utilizing their fine motor, visual perceptual, and sensory tactile skills! Add in some academic concepts and you have a learning … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: fine motor activities, sensory activities, tactile activities

Favorite Things Sensory Edition

May 29, 2017 by Amy Smith

Best sensory based therapy activities, products, and ideas for children from a pediatric occupational therapist

Favorite Things Sensory Edition As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am often asked to recommend equipment or activities that are the most beneficial for children. Because every … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: calming activities, sensory regulation

Fidget Spinners’ Therapeutic Benefits

May 17, 2017 by Amy Smith

Fidget spinners can benefit kids and adults in therapeutic ways while also being a mainstreamed, "mom approved" tool.

As a pediatric occupational therapist, I am delighted that these new fidget spinners are so popular!  For years, I've been recommending different kinds of fidgets to kids who are antsy, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Fine Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: fidgets, spinners

Child’s Speech, Motor Skills Behind?

May 6, 2017 by Amy Smith

Worried about whether your child's speech or motor skills are behind? Find out about Enable My Child, an online pediatric therapy company that can help develop your child's skills.

Have you had that nagging feeling that something just "isn't right" with your child's motor or speech development? Is your child having difficult with things that others can do … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: developmental delays, online therapy

8 Best Kids Calming Ideas

April 28, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn the 8 best Kids calming ideas! These 8 ways are sensory based and help calm kids down when they feel anxious or over active.

Wondering how to help kids calm down when they feel anxious or overly active?  Fortunately there are lots of  calming strategies that really do work, but the trick is knowing which ones … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: calming activities, coping skills

Why Teachers Should Never Take Away Recess

April 14, 2017 by Amy Smith

Learn the reasons why recess shouldn't be taken away and alternative ideas to use instead

One of the most "popular" forms of punishment for  bad behavior in the schools is sitting out of recess.  Glance at any elementary school during recess time and chance are, you'll see a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: school success, student discipline

The Solution for Worried Parents

March 23, 2017 by Amy Smith

View the safety, location, and happenings of your child at all times when they are away with this GPS system from Angel Sense. It's perfect for children with special needs.

As parents, we are always worrying about our kids when they are away from us...... Are they safe? What are they doing? Where are they? Multiply those worries for parents of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: autism, parenting, special needs

Sensory Steam Roller

February 16, 2017 by Amy Smith

This DIY sensory steam roller is a convenient way to obtain sensory input to calm down. Can be done at home, school, or on the go. Find out how to make it here.

Sensory input is so vital to the emotional and behavioral regulation of kids and adults.  Think about big hugs, back massages, and shoulder rubs... all of these actions are relaxing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: autism, calming activities, sensory

Calming Effects of Weighted Blankets

February 9, 2017 by Amy Smith

Discover the calming effects of weighted blankets and how weighted blankets can help kids with ADHD, autism, sensory problems, and anxiety.

Imagine how good it feels when you get a big hug or relaxing shoulder rub. Science shows that the input from deep touch releases dopamine and neurotransmitters throughout the body which … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: autism, calming activities, weighted blankets

Movement Break Ideas for the Classroom

January 14, 2017 by Amy Smith

Most teachers and parents have probably experienced first hand how "antsy" kids can get after sitting at school all day long.  It may not be the children's fault they can't sit still … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities, Sensory Regulation Tagged With: kids exercise, movement activities, school activities

Feed Your Need to Chew: Choose Chewies

November 26, 2016 by Amy Smith

Find out how to feed your child's need to chew in a healthy way by using chewies! Chewies are oral fidgets that can alleviate anxiety and nervous energy. Great for kids with sensory issues, ADHD, autism, anxiety, and PTSD.

When you feel nervous, what's your go-to stress relief? Biting your nails? Chewing gum? Gnawing on pen caps? Eating? If this sounds like you or your child, your actions may be saying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: Chewy, oral fidgets, sensory activities

10 Ways to Calm Down Without Anyone Knowing

November 9, 2016 by Amy Smith

Learn calming tips to help kids relax while at school, without anyone else knowing and without the need for equipment or tools.

It's not easy being a kid in schools these days.  Things like high pressure testing, a fast-paced work curriculum,  trying to "fit in", and bullying are stressful issues that kids have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: calming activities, school

Autism Behavioral Tracking Tool (Birdhouse)

November 1, 2016 by Amy Smith

Increase predictability in behaviors for people with autism using this online behavioral tracking tool by Birdhouse. This is especially helpful for parents and families of people with autism and special needs.

If your child has autism, you probably know the all too well the roller coaster ride it can feel like.  The ups and downs, good and bad days, accomplishments and disappointments.  Many … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: autism, parent support, special needs technology

Calming Clothing for Kids

October 7, 2016 by Amy Smith

Find out how these pieces of clothing help to calm children's bodies and behaviors and where you can purchase them.

Kids Play Smarter is happy to partner with Calming Clothing for Kids for this sponsored post about clothing products that aides in calming kids behaviors by calming their … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: calming activities, sensory regulation

Money Saving Therapy Swaps

September 13, 2016 by Amy Smith

Save money when purchasing pediatric therapy equipment with these tips from an occupational therapist!

There are several sensory tools or "tricks of the trade" that therapists often use to help kids succeed in the classroom and at home, including things like increasing attention span and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: academic activities, Saving money, sensory regulation activities

Calming Cozy Cocoon

September 8, 2016 by Amy Smith

Simple sensory activity that uses deep pressure from a blanket to help kids calm down and relax. Try it out before bedtime or any stressful situation.

This calming cozy cocoon activity is as relaxing as it sounds, and is so incredibly easy to do that you may be kicking yourself for not having thought of it sooner. The concept of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation Tagged With: Calming activity, sensory activities

10 Ways to Healthier Eating for Kids

August 28, 2016 by Amy Smith

Kids tips for learning how to eat healthy foods. Great for kids with sensory issues who may be adversive to certain foods.

Eating healthy isn't just beneficial for obvious health reasons, studies show that healthy eating improves mood, energy levels, frustration tolerance, and can decrease hyperactive … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: healthy behaviors, nutrition

Help! My Child Can’t Sit Still!

August 27, 2016 by Amy Smith

Do you have children or students who are constantly fidgeting in their seats at school or at home? The child knows that he should be sitting still, but chances are, there's something … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Handwriting Help, Sensory Regulation, Therapist's Tips Tagged With: attention difficulties, behavior problems, seating, sensory activities

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