When my oldest was six and the twins were two we traveled to Europe for my husband’s sebbatical. At this point one might think-what were we thinking?! We were given a lovely home in the country with a garden, so the children could run around. One hitch- there were no electronic devises in the house-no […]
Here are a few common experiences that attempt to convey the discomfort someone with tactile defensiveness live with daily: Finger nails scratching across a chalk board. The lingering sensation of touching a slug; struggling to get the slime off. When the panty hose are twisted but you didn’t have time to straighten them before rushing […]
I did this with my three children when they were very young while we prepared for a bath. Each had a turn going down the hall and back. They loved it and because we tacked it onto a task done every day we never forgot to enjoy our “wheelbarrow workout!” Wheelbarrow walking is something you […]
Fiber barrels are hard to find these days but they are a real treasure for motor challenges. I used to have a great big one, so I fit inside and could demonstrate some of the more challenging moves to the folks I worked with. Those demos gave my hips a big workout and when I […]
If there was only one piece of equipment I was allowed to keep, it would be my scooter board. Built by my husband 28 years ago, it’s still solid as a rock and works beautifully. Countless number of children have gotten stronger, mastered critical motor skills and had fun on my scooter. Riding a scooter […]
One of my colleagues takes one look at GAK and wants to puke…definitely sensory issues going on. While I personally have some real tactile hypersensitivities, I am fascinated by the textural experience GAK provides. This big blue blob feels wet, cold and gooey. But it’s actually dry and not very messy. It has a […]
When I was young, my mother sent me outside and I would spend HOURS swinging. I would sing, I would close my eyes to surprise myself by how high I’d gone and as I got bigger I’d challenge myself by jumping off at the highest point. Swinging does so many good things for sensory motor […]
When I was young, my mother sent me outside and I would spend HOURS swinging. I would sing, I would close my eyes to surprise myself by how high I’d gone and as I got bigger I’d challenge myself by jumping off at the highest point. Swinging does so many good things for sensory motor […]
It amazes me that almost every girl in my second grade class (probably 20) waited in line to jump rope during recess. On a good day we may have had three turns during that precious thirty minute break. There was no adult telling us to do this. It’s just what we did. We didn’t do […]
I have a sister five years older than me and in my formative years I spent most of my time trying to “catch up” to her. That may be why I learned to ride a two wheeler at three years of age. Having safe sidewalks and uncluttered days to practice at my leisure surely helped […]
OK, so a baby isn’t going to mount a two wheeler…not even a trike. But there are many activities that engage little ones so they’re all set to go once they get big enough to straddle a ride toy! I highlight bicycle riding not because it is a favorite of mine (which it is) but […]