One of our favorite tools for sensory processing therapy at home is our exercise ball. We use it to get much needed proprioceptive input. We also use it to challenge and strengthen our son’s core and balance.
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This post will focus on different ways to use an exercise ball while your child lays on their tummy. This is called the prone position and has so many benefits! (Check out this article for why this position is so important for brain and body development!) Ever wonder why they always push tummy time in infancy? Now you know.
Sort Objects
My mom came up with the idea to place a bunch of small objects directly in front of Loopy. We arraigned two bins on either side and placed a sheet of colored paper in them since Loopy doesn’t know his left from right yet. This really help Loopy work on listening to instructions. And of course, there was a lot of crossing the midline!
Draw While on the Ball
Get on your child comfortable on their belly and have them draw something that will challenge them. I had Loopy do a simple maze of sorts. Encourage your child to hold their head up and balance themselves as much as possible.
(Pardon the blur in these pictures. It’s hard to get a shot while not dropping your own kiddo. Thanks for the grace.)
Scooping Objects
Young kids have a fascination with scooping and dumping. For this activity, I had Loopy scoop pom poms from one bin to the next. The scoop helps him learn scissor skills. And I love any activity that requires Loopy to cross the midline of his body. That’s a major struggle for him and the more he does it, the more connections him solidifies in his brain.
Want to discover more versatile sensory tools for your kids? This is the ultimate list of sensory toys for kids.
Do a Puzzle
One of Loopy’s favorite activities are puzzles. Asking him to do a puzzle while in the prone position is a great way to distract him from the muscle building he is busy doing. Ok, the following picture is Loopy on our ottoman, since apparently, I didn’t get one of him on the ball.
Want more ways to get sensory input??? These six help the vestibular AND proprioceptive senses.
Looking for sensory activities that improve behavior and help your child handle the world around them?
The Sensory Activities Video Library shows you how! Watch me guide my own kids through sensory activities that are super doable and tons of fun!
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- Be Prepared! Activities that can be done ANYWHERE, because meltdowns can happen anywhere.
- Get Creative! Turn normal household objects into sensory equipment. + FREE Printable Sensory Cards ($10 value) to have around your home or in your purse. You’ll never be without sensory ideas again!
Get Access to the Sensory Activities Video Library AND the printable Sensory Activities Cards RIGHT HERE!
Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her.
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[…] objects into ways to strengthen and challenge our son on an occupational level. We really love our exercise ball, but sometimes we take it down a notch and use a much smaller ball to work on all sorts of great […]