My Mundane and Miraculous Life

  • Home
  • Home-Schooling
    • Unit Studies: Activities and Book Lists
    • Math
    • Science
    • Language
      • Pre-Literacy
      • Reading
      • Writing
      • Speech
    • Music and Art
    • History
  • Sensory Processing
    • Sensory FAQs
    • Auditory
    • Oral
    • Proprioceptive
    • Tactile
    • Vestibular
  • Natural Homemaking
    • Toiletries and Cleaning
    • Reusables
    • Food and Drink
    • Decor
    • Attachment Parenting
  • Heart to Heart
    • Marriage
    • Parenting
    • Faith
    • YOUR Heart
  • Shop
    • Shop
    • Affiliate Area
  • My Account
  • About Me and the Blog
    • Associates
    • Shop
    • Affiliate Area
  • Work with Me
    • Affiliate Area
  • Contact Me
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Policy

4 Ways to Use a Wiggle Seat for Sensory Input

January 21, 2015 By Julie 4 Comments

Kids need movement to learn. The connection between a fidgeting body and the brain are quite remarkable!

Wiggle Seat for sensory input

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here. 

We love using these Wiggle Seats to help engage our bodies while staying in our chairs. They're pretty cool! But we've found a bunch of other ways to use Wiggle Seats to strengthen and grow our brains and bodies.

My son, Loopy, has sensory processing disorder and struggles with body awareness and balance. Standing on a wiggle seat while engaging in other activities has been a great way to challenge him. He also struggles to cross the midline of his body, so most of these activities focus on that as well.

1. Hand Games 

P1018410

Ask the child to stand on the wiggle seat and give you a high-five using the opposite hand. The goal is to get them to cross the midline while keeping their balance. This is extremely hard for my son and he comes up with all sorts of variations so as to avoid having to do both tasks at the same time. Keep encouraging them, their little brains can be quite adept at avoidance!

2. Catch a Ball from Up Above

P1018415

Hold a largeish ball high above your child's head. Have them look up and spread their arms wide. When you drop the ball, have them catch it with an alligator like clap. (If this is too difficult, try a balloon. Too easy, make the ball smaller.)

When looking skyward, it can be difficult to maintain balance. This one is a great way to incorporate bilateral integration (when both sides of your body have to work together in coordination).

3. Capture the Ball

P1018426

Have the child squat low on the wiggle seat while maintaining their balance. Give them a large plastic cup. Roll a ball toward them. They'll attempt to quickly cover/capture the ball with the cup.

This one is super fun and can be made more difficult by the size of the ball and cup, the speed, and how close to their body you roll the ball.

Want to fill your home with more toys that double as sensory input tools? Check out the ultimate list of tried and true sensory toys.

4. Do a Puzzle while Squatting 

IMG_3958

Have the child squat down and do a puzzle. We LOVE this Latches Board since it can be held upright and challenges kids fine motor skills.

Make it easier by letting them stand up fully. My youngest, Lumpy, wanted in on the fun!

P1018423

Another variation is to place a puzzle on the floor the the pieces on one side and the board on another. The child will have to squat down to put the puzzle together, AND cross midline as they place the pieces in the correct spot.

IMG_3968 IMG_3972

Hope this post gives you an idea of how versatile the wiggle seat is for getting sensory input. Their vestibular system (inner ear and balance) will grow leaps and bounds with these fun activities.

Yes! I Want ALL the Sensory Goodies!

Shop Sensory Resources...

Sensory Activities Cards Sq Image

70+ Printable Sensory Activities Cards

Mock Up Ecourse

Sensory Parenting 101 {E-Course}

Brochure Mockup

Customizable, Printable, SPD Brochure for Care Givers

More from my site

  • How to Decorate a Boys Room that will Grow With ThemHow to Decorate a Boys Room that will Grow With Them
  • Macy’s Culinary Council Cooking Demo with Johnny IuzziniMacy’s Culinary Council Cooking Demo with Johnny Iuzzini
  • 24 Days of Christmas Books for Advent24 Days of Christmas Books for Advent
  • Parachute Games for KidsParachute Games for Kids
  • What Every Dad Needs to Know about SPDWhat Every Dad Needs to Know about SPD
  • Aluminum Free Baking PowderAluminum Free Baking Powder

,Does Your Child Have Unmet SENSORY Needs???

Discover the MOST EFFECTIVE Sensory Activity for Preventing Meltdowns, Based on YOUR Unique Child's Needs ...

When you take this quiz, you'll get a free report that outlines what your child's sensory needs are and what sensory activity will help them thrive based on your responses to this short (and insightful) quiz assessment!

Take the Quiz HERE!!!

Shop Sensory Resources...

  • 70+ Printable Sensory Activities Cards

  • Sensory Parenting 101 {E-Course}

  • Customizable, Printable, SPD Brochure for Care Givers

Trackbacks

  1. A Home Preschool Schedule (Especially for Kids with SPD) » My Mundane and Miraculous Life says:
    May 12, 2015 at 9:43 pm

    […] prepared to handle sitting activities later on. For Loopy, his issues are in the proprioceptive and vestibular department, so we don’t really tackle tactile […]

    Reply
  2. How to Strengthen the Body and Brain: Home Exercises for Babies says:
    April 19, 2016 at 5:06 pm

    […] roll a soft ball towards them. Swing the child forward to “kick” it. It’s great vestibular input and a wonderful social activities. All three of my boys had a great time […]

    Reply
  3. Gross Motor Skills: Crossing the Midline says:
    February 23, 2017 at 12:36 am

    […] 4 Ways to Play with a Wiggle Seat […]

    Reply
  4. The Ultimate List of Sensory Toys for Autistic Children on the Planet says:
    November 22, 2017 at 12:31 pm

    […] Air-Filled Stability Balance Disc These are so affordable, durable, and versatile. We use our “wiggle seat” for all sorts of additional sensory activities.  […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search The Blog

Follow

Copyright © 2023 · Web Hosting By RFE Hosting · Privacy Policy