A Parent’s Guide To Putting The Fun Into Functioning (Part 2 Of 5)
A Parent’s Guide to Putting the Fun Into FUNctioning 101 fun sensory activities to do with your child
Moving on to movement
In the previous post, we discussed activities to strengthen your child’s tactile processing efficiency. Today we’re going to talk about the vestibular system and how you can help your son or daughter discover ways to improve it.
Located within our inner ear, the vestibular system is the sense of movement and balance. A strong vestibular system tells our bodies where we are in space in relation to gravity; if we are standing up, falling down, or spinning around.
Try out these activities together to reinforce your child’s vestibular system and sense of balance and it’s a pretty sure bet that you will share some laughs as well:
– Spinning or running in circles
– Riding up and down on a seesaw (teeter-totter)
– Balancing in the center of a seesaw, or on a beam, curb, or low wall
– Jumping on a trampoline, jumping from step to step, doing jumping jacks
– Climbing a jungle gym
– Sliding down a slide
– Going up and down stairs
– Doing somersaults or cartwheels
– Spinning on a merry-go-round or chair
– Swinging on a swing or sensory swing, swinging side to side on a hammock
– Swimming
– Bouncing on a therapy ball
– Walking barefoot on uneven surfaces such as grass or sand
– Rocking in a hammock, rocking chair, or porch swing
– Dancing
– Hanging upside down off a couch, off a parent’s lap, or from monkey bars
– Rollerblading
– Riding a bike or scooter
– Skateboarding
– Playground games such as hopscotch or freeze
Looking ahead:
In the next post, we will discuss ideas for different proprioceptive-system-stimulating activities.
Do you and your child engage in any special vestibular activities? What works well for your family? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Also, let me know there or via email what topics you would like to discuss or hear more about.
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I look forward to hearing from you!
All the best,