If you have a kid with sensory processing disorder and they struggle with vestibular (inner ear/balance) and proprioceptive (joint compression/heavy work) issues, you know a great place to take them is the playground! The classic playground is FULL of opportunities to challenge and stimulate their bodies and brains. So when we went to the traditional […]
Another Simple Tool for Developing a Better Pencil Grasp
When I think about educating my son at home, the area I am most concerned about is handwriting. I’m not looking for gorgeous cursive or anything like that. You see, my son has sensory processing disorder, which, for him, effects his awareness of his body. Imagine trying to write letters when you can’t really tell […]
Tactile Sensory Game
We’ve started learning about the human body this month for our tot-school and I’m pretty darn excited for all the activities we’ll get to do! After reading a book about the brain, my mom decided to challenge Loopy’s stereognosis. StereoWHAT??? Yeah, I didn’t know either. It’s the brain’s ability to identify an object without seeing […]
Astronaut Pretend Play
We have been having so much fun learning about astronauts lately (check out our favorite books), that when the month was out, we just kept going with our space exploration. Lumpy (1.5 yrs) has even started saying “bwast offffff!” No day is complete without imagining ourselves in space. Occasionally, I’ve tried to add some extra […]
Calm Down Bin For Sensory Meltdowns
(Scroll to the bottom to get a free calm down cheat sheet to keep as a reference!) When a child with sensory processing disorder throws a tantrum, it can be a doozy. When their brains don’t know what to do with the sensory input coming at them, it will often trigger a fight or flight […]
Obstacle Courses for Sensory Input (From Objects You have at Home!)
My son is a typical little boy. He loves to jump, climb and crash his way through the day. For him, it’s more than fun, it’s a need. He uses this rough and tumble sensory input to help him feel secure in his little world. He’s been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder. One way I […]
Just Go to Bed! Deciphering Legitimate Needs from Stall Tactics
Let’s face it. Kids are ridiculously creative. I have found that their ingenuity tends to shine brightest at bedtime. The requests just. keep. coming. But how are we as parents supposed to know when our children have a genuine need and when they’re just desperately trying to delay the inevitable? When and where should we […]
Simple Household Item that Develops a Better Pencil Grasp
A year ago, my son was diagnosed with SPD. It’s been rough but oh so helpful to know what we’re fighting against. As we’ve practiced activities to help with balance and calm him with heavy work, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in meltdowns over sensory stimulation. But as the dust settles, we’re slowly learning about […]
Monster Sensory Bottle
Sensory bottles are all the rage with older babies and toddlers. The possibilities are endless. Since October is fast approaching, I decided to have a fun spooky theme to this sensory bottle. Lumpy loved shaking things up with this simple Monster Sensory Bottle! This post contains affiliate links that help support my family. Read more […]
Air Travel and Sensory Issues
Over the summer, I did something rather brazen. I single-handedly took a 13 month old and a three year old across the country by plane. This would be stressful under the best of circumstances, but my oldest has sensory issues that could cause an epic meltdown at any point. While it didn’t go perfectly, we […]