**the HOLIDAYS are approaching!!**
It is that time of the year where the weather gets colder, the schedules change, the sweets come out and dsyregulation quickly approaches…..
What do you do with the time off?
How do you motivate to get moving?
How do we prepare?
How do you limit screen time?
How do I have fun?
How do you balance all the stimulation?
We are all ready for a break when it comes to the holiday’s BUT we still need to make sure that we are helping our sensory sensitive kiddos get regulated as well. Make the time, you will be happy you did!
Here are some ideas and resources to use of when family comes into town, weather gets a bit crummy and screens start to come out.
MOVEMENT. MOVEMENT. MOVEMENT. Just because routine is a bit off, shouldn’t be an excuse to not get active. Especially when the weather isn’t good, kiddos need to move.
-Make and obstacle course! This can be as simple as balance on pillows, push/pull/carry anything, crawl under the table with a sheet over it, “save” the animal under the couch pillows, animal walks/hops/crawls down the hall to get that puzzle piece and back to put it in. Try to be as creative as you can. HERE are some fun obstacle course ideas to do in the home.
-limited on space? No problem! It’s just how you present it. HERE is a great handout for ideas for small spaces.
-Heavy work in all forms! Doesn’t have to be an elaborate obstacle course, heavy work looks like a lot of things! Check out fun ideas HERE.
2. Need a calm down break? Holidays can bring LOTS of stimulation. From extra people visiting to novel activities and lots of transitions throughout! Take a chill break once in a while. It’s not a time out, it is a time to help them break up the stimulation so that they can transition back and be more regulated in the space and not get so excited leading to possible meltdown or unsafe behaviors.
Ideas to try:
-moving away from the space to another room or outside if possible.
-deep hugs/pressure
-take a drink of water sometimes through a straw is calming or put something in mouth (gum, chew necklace/bracelet, chewy/crunchy foods)
-breathing techniques (stop sign breathing, 5 finger breathing, smell the flowers and blow the candle etc)
-Take away any extra stimulation or add distractions if needed; turn lights/music off, putting noise cancelling headphones on, turn on visualization tool (moving lamp, sand timer etc).
-Manipulate with something: fidget toys, stickers, playdoh, theraputty, clay, sensory marble mazes.
-Coloring, doodle pads/drawing boards.
HERE are other calming strategies to try!
4. Check out this AMAZING packet by Harkla: Sensory Holiday Survival Guide. This is jam packed with tools, strategies, reminders and visuals to help you get through your travel either by plane or if you are going on a road trip or if you are just hanging out at home.
5. If you need ideas for gifts for the holidays:
*Gift guide *Harkla gift guide
6. Breaks between screens!
-get OUTSIDE!
-stations of exercises- time how long you can hold that wall stand or how many mountain climbers you can do in 1-2 minutes etc.
-play a board/card game
-bake a cake/cookies/brownies- YUM!
- Crafts! Pretend play! CREATE! Use that imagination! Try to have fun and not take things too seriously. Your kids are kids and playing with them is more beneficial to their nervous systems at this point in their life :)
Stay healthy and Happy Holidays!
- SP4K