Alphabet Sensory Play and Gross Motor Challenge

When you’re homeschooling a child with SPD, you’re always looking for ways to multitask.

Almost every learning opportunity can be a chance to get healthy sensory input.

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Thank you to the Toybrary of Austin for generously giving my family a membership in exchange for showcasing some of their amazing toys! 

Supplies:

Alphabet Beanbags

A basket or bin

A partner

 

Instructions:

Spread the lettered bean bags throughout a large room. Have one child be a “wheel barrel” while the other holds their legs. (This takes a good bit of strength, so an adult may have to hold the child’s legs.)

The first child will be getting great sensory input in his inner ear (vestibular) as his head is inverted. He will also be getting proprioceptive input as he carries his body weight in the joints in his arms.

The child carrying the “wheel barrel” is also getting proprioception as he does some heavy work.

The basic game is for your child to go on a hunt for the lettered bean bags while wheel barreling around. They gather the bags and bring them to a central location such as a basket or bin.

For my oldest, I had him spelling out simple words. “Find the bags for the word ‘JET’ and arrange them in the basket.”

My preschooler was sent on a hunt for bean bag letters that matched the sounds I would make. This game is highly adaptable. (Below, my youngest decided to quit the wheel barrel and did some bear walks instead.)

Once my oldest gathered his words, I’d have him read them with a kinetic trick that he simply LOVES! He lines up the letters and pats each letter while making the sounds. (Check out this full post to see all the benefits!)

We got these versatile bean bags from the Toybrary of Austin. The “Toybrary” is a library for TOYS, and high quality ones at that! Since getting a membership, we’re always getting new educational toys, without cluttering up our home! Liza, the owner of the Toybrary is so sweet and loves getting educational, playful toys that help kids be kids! Austinites, check them out, you won’t regret it!

There’s a free gardening class on March 7th at 10:45 for the kiddos to get their hands dirty. Perfect for spring! See the calendar for more details.