Complete these OT activities throughout the week. The more you do, the more the following skills will improve. Descriptions are included above each exercise.
- TUMMY THROW
- To provide touch pressure to body from floor
- To increase back and neck extension strength
- To develop arm strength
- To develop good eye tracking (roll ball)
- TURTLE CRAWL
- To provide touch input to back from carrying an object
- To increase body awareness
- To develop upper body strength
- To promote motor control by moving fast versus slow
- BOAT RIDE
- To provide deep-touch pressure to body
- To provide calming head movement
- To promote language skills
Chant: “Rock the boat ‘til we laugh and shout, rock the boat ‘til we all fall out”
TACTILE ACTIVITIES
- Tactile adventure bins- cornmeal, oatmeal, water, sand, lentils
- Bath time- bubble bath, crayon soap, back scrub brushes
- Foam soap or shaving cream- draw, blow
- Sticky play- tape, contact paper, painters tape
- Kitchen time- mixing tasting, smelling, washing up
While playing with tactile materials, you can practice drawing shapes, letters, drawing faces, drawing a person, etc with your child. Talk about what you are doing and encourage them to engage in the play with you or with a sibling.
References: Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration. Yack, E, Aquilla P and Sutton S. Future Horizons 2002
