Category Archives: Sensorimotor

Enhancing Sensory Experiences in the Home Daycare Setting

October 3, 2023Education, Fine Motor, Sensorimotor, Sensoryearly learning, Occupational Therapy, OT, sensoryGuest Blogger

Porch, the home services platform, reached out to Therapro for help with their latest article, Safeguarding Your Home Daycare: What Experts Have to Say. The question posed to the Therapro team was: How can home daycare providers utilize therapeutic and educational resources to enhance sensory experiences and cognitive development for children in their care? Therapro’s team of experts had a lot to say on this topic! Read our latest post to see what Therapro shared and be sure to check out the full article for additional information!

Home daycare providers can greatly enhance sensory experiences and cognitive development for children in their care by incorporating therapeutic and educational resources from Therapro, among others. In this post we are covering several strategies and Therapro resources that can be used to enhance these experiences.

Tactile Search & Match a tool used to enhance sensory experiences

Sensory-Focused Environments: Creating sensory-focused environments within your home
daycare is a great, all-around way, to enhance sensory experiences. This can be accomplished simply by utilizing sensory tools, like fidget toys, or sensory integration equipment like therapy balls. These resources can stimulate children’s tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular senses, promoting sensory exploration and integration.

Create And Play Sensory Beads (6 Pack); a set of 6 beads with various textures to enhance sensory experiences

Sensory Bins: Therapro offers various sensory bin materials, like mini animals or sensory beads. These bins can be customized to match educational themes and provide opportunities for tactile exploration, improving fine motor skills and cognitive development.

Fine and Gross Motor Activities: Tools like therapy putty, sensory beads, and balance boards. are examples of therapeutic resources that can be integrated into activities to enhance sensory experiences. For instance, swap therapy putty for traditional playdough activities to bring in grounding proprioceptive input. Add a balance board to traditional circle time activities to add vestibular stimulation that can increase alertness.

By integrating therapeutic and educational resources into your home daycare setting, you can create an enriching environment that fosters sensory experiences and cognitive development for the children in your care.

Everyday Sensory Solutions

September 12, 2023Occupational Therapy, Sensorimotor, Sensoryautism, Occupational Therapy, OT, sensory, sensory corner, sensory environment, sensory spaceGuest Blogger

Sensory-Friendly Environments

When creating sensory-friendly environments, the emphasis is on minimizing overwhelming stimuli and providing sensory solutions that promote regulated and organized responses to sensation. The goal is to create an environment that benefits individuals with sensory differences. Here are a few examples of how to reduce irritating auditory, visual, or tactile stimulation and ways to offer calming deep touch, movement, auditory, visual, and muscle work options to create your own sensory-friendly environment.

Auditory Stimulation:

everyday sensory solutions HUSH BUDDY EARMUFFS

Provide noise-canceling headphones or earbuds to reduce or eliminate loud or overwhelming sounds.
Offer a quiet area or soundproofing measures to create a space with reduced auditory stimulation.
Use white noise machines or calming music to create a soothing auditory environment.

Visual Stimulation:

Use soft, neutral colors on walls and furnishings to create a calming visual atmosphere.
Provide adjustable lighting options, such as dimmers or natural light.
Use curtains, blinds, or fluorescent light covers to regulate incoming light and reduce glare.
Create visual points of interest, such as calm and nature-themed artwork.
Avoid overcrowding walls with visuals.
Leave some walls blank or with very minimal visual input.

Tactile Stimulation:

Offer sensory-friendly materials, such as soft fabrics, textured surfaces, or materials that can be held or manipulated and aren’t scratchy and irritating.
Create sensory bins or tactile centers with various materials like pinto beans, rice, or soothing textured objects for tactile exploration.

Calming Deep Touch and Movement:

Give options for deep pressure touch, such as weighted shoulder wraps, laps pads, weighted blankets or compression tubes.
Provide spaces for movement, such as sensory swings, rocking chairs, Bin Chairs, or ball chairs.
Movement in straight lines; forward/backward, up/down or side to side is generally more regulating than rotary or irregular movement.

Muscle Work:

Provide visual options for ways to use muscles; wall push-ups, chair push-ups, squeeze balls, resistance bands, resistive compression tubes, bear walking or crab walking.
Provide other visuals options for ways to move that require muscle work such as kids yoga cards.

Remember that each individual may have unique sensory preferences, so it’s important to offer a variety of options and allow for personalization. By considering these strategies and tools, you can create a sensory-friendly environment that caters to the sensory preferences of individuals, promotes regulation, and enhances their overall well-being.

weighted Puppy Shoulder Wrap — Sommerfly Snuggle Bin Collection

It is important to note that all occupational therapists are trained in sensory processing and many have extensive experience and deep understanding in this area. Whenever possible, seek guidance from an occupational therapist for individualized sensory recommendations.

Stay tuned for our next installment of Everyday Sensory Solutions by Sommerfly.
For more information about Sommerfly Products visit Therapro.com.

Guest Blogger: Kristi Langslet, OTR/L

Kristi Langslet, OTR/L is the proud owner of Sommerfly, a company dedicated to providing individuals of all ages with sensory needs unique product designs that are meticulously crafted in the USA for optimal quality and construction. Most importantly, Sommerfly’s passion is to serve those who use our products.

Everyday Sensory Solutions: Sensory Breaks

August 15, 2023Education, Occupational Therapy, Sensorimotor, SensoryOccupational Therapy, OT, sensory, sensory break, sensory breaksGuest Blogger

Sensory breaks are an essential component of therapeutic strategies for children, particularly those with sensory processing difficulties. Creating a designated space where children can take breaks when feeling overwhelmed can greatly support their regulation and emotional well-being. This area should be quiet with reduced distractions, providing a calming environment that allows children to self-regulate. Equally important is the inclusion of sensory tools that cater to their specific preferences, helping them find comfort and manage overload effectively.

In a break space for children, various tools may include items such as weighted blankets, compression wear or stuffed animals for deep pressure and proprioceptive input, sensory tools like soothing hand fidgets, visual aids like lava lamps or calming images, and noise-canceling headphones to reduce auditory input. By personalizing the break area and offering a range of tools, children can engage in activities that support their needs and help them regain a sense of calm. This dedicated space acts as a sanctuary where children can take a break, recharge, and regain their focus, ultimately facilitating their overall well-being and promoting a more positive experience.

Sommerfly Relaxer Travel-Sized Weighted blanket for day use

Stay tuned for our next installment of Everyday Sensory Solutions by Sommerfly.
For more information about Sommerfly Products visit Therapro.com.

Guest Blogger: Kristi Langslet, OTR/L