How to promote calming

Sensory modulation requires a child to adapt his state of arousal, alertness, and attention to meet the demands of each environment in which he needs to function.  He needs to read cues accurately and respond to them appropriately.  Sensory modulation is strongly affected by sensitivity and response patterns to sensory input. Children who over- or under- respond to sensory input often have difficulty regulating their behavior. A well-regulated child will go through most of his day in a quiet, alert state without being distracted or inattentive and transition smoothly between active and tabletop activities.

“When in Doubt. . . .Prop it Out”   -Meryl Samuels Turner, ASD Nest Program, NY DOE

 One of the most effective ways of promoting self regulation is through proprioceptive input. Resistive activities (proprioceptive) that also provide some movement through space (vestibular) are “grounding” and organizing because they incorporate “heavy work”.

 For Home:

 Slow stretches

• Bear hugs
• Create a tunnel out of your legs and have your child squeeze through
• Wheelbarrow, crab, or bear walking
• “Wrestling with rules”

 For the Classroom:

•  Chair push-ups
• Make the room bigger (wall “push-ups”)
• Classroom jobs (heavy work)
• The “Fragile Egg”
• Chewy foods for snack and lunch (bagels, granola bars, gum)
• Drink liquids through a straw or sports top bottle

How to facilitate alerting

Providing targeted sensory input in the correct “dosage” is the key to promoting alertness and ramping up attention.  Before circle time, a lesson, or homework provide alerting input (sensory prep) in an organized manner.  The time spent will be worth it.

For Home:

Eat crunchy snacks such as pretzels, apples, carrots, or nuts

• Sit on a large exercise ball or a “sit ‘n’ move” cushion rather than a chair. Feet must rest on the floor.
• A 5-10 minute intense workout with a clear beginning and end:
  • Stride jumps
  • Jumping jacks
  • Jumping on a trampoline

For The Classroom:

 “Popcorn Game”

• “Shake Your Sillies Out”
• Relay races
• Sit’ n Move cushion on the floor or chair

 Basic Principles:

•  Never touch a child without permission. Ask each time
• When giving instructions, less is more: the fewer words, the better
• All activities should have a clear beginning and end
• Children thrive on routine