Sensory Diet

Calming Activities

If a child is over stimulated, the following activities may help to calm him.

• Sucking yogurt through a straw
• Rocking in rocking chair
• Swinging
• Wrapping in heavy blanket
• Quiet space or tent play
• Rolling or kneading play dough
• Mixing in a bowl
• Listening to music on headphones
• Carrying books or other objects up and down stairs
• Washing windows, mirrors, or tables
• Eating healthy, crunchy foods like carrots
• Swimming, taking baths
• Bear hugging
• Painting with water
• Vibrating pillows/massagers
• Finding objects hidden in bucket full of uncooked beans or beads
  

  Energizing Activities

  When a sensory kid needs to be aroused, wake up his senses by trying some of these activities.
• Jumping on trampoline
• Pushing or pulling heavy items
• Sitting on a “wiggle” seat pillow (one of many sensory integration products available)
• Squeezing squishy balls with hand
• Bouncing on therapy or other large ball
• Spinning in rotating chair or on swing
• Eating chewy foods
• Chewing bubble gum (only if age appropriate)
• Pillow squishing, making child into sandwich
• Taking a shower

Other Organizing Activities

These activities may work in both cases, depending on the child.

• Doing handstands against wall or pushups
• Animal walking
• Climbing/pulling up on monkey bars
• Carrying heavy items
• Wearing heavy back pack
• Blowing bubbles
• Tumbling
• Sleeping bag rolling
• Pushing a cart or wagon filled with toys
• Lying on belly to watch TV or play video game

Taken from https://suite.io/karen-plumley/15192g6