Summer Sensory Play
by Amy Ladetsky
Sensory play provides children with an opportunity to learn via tactile, auditory, visual and movement input. Here is a list of super FUN activities to keep the family busy this summer. The list is broken down into the various sensory systems with a brief description of each system for your convenience.
Proprioceptive System:
This system tells the brain about the body position and movement. Proprioceptive input also improves body image, muscle tone, and strength.
Examples of Proprioception (deep pressure) include
- Jumping on a trampoline
- Baking activities (ie. kneading dough for cookies or pizza)
Motor Planning:
the ability to plan and execute an unfamiliar or complicated motor task or novel experience in a coordinated way.
- Pumping a swing in the playground
- Skipping, galloping, jumping rope
Visual Motor Integration (VMI):
the ability of the eye to direct the hand and requires combined perceptual and motor skills. VMI skills affect a child's ability to write letters, copy figures, cut with scissors, complete mazes, stack blocks and be successful in most sports activities.
- Cutting out shapes/ pictures on various textures (paper, cardboard, play dough, etc)
- Playing Frisbee
Fine Motor:
skills that involve a refined use of the small muscles controlling the hand, fingers, and thumb.
- Card games: practice shuffling, dealing or flipping cards
- Use Spray water bottles for watering plants, for pincer strengthening
- Tug of War for upper arm and hand strengthening
Bilateral Integration:
the ability to coordinate both sides of the body for a purposeful action.
- Jumping jacks
- Rolling play dough with a rolling pin
Vestibular System
: The receptors in the inner ear tell us where our head is in relation to gravity. Vestibular input plays an important role in helping to maintain a calm and alert state, and keeping the level of arousal in the Central Nervous System balanced
For Movement:
- Bounce on a large therapy ball
- Using Playground equipment (slide, climbing jungle gyms, swings)
- Scooter board
For Tactile:
- Finger painting
- Shaving cream or funny foam
For Visual:
- Play target games such as ring toss, bean bags, etc.
- Balloon volleyball
For Oral Motor:
- Blow bubbles
- Drinking through a sports bottle
