| The snow continues to fall here in Michigan, and it | | | | them with great tactile input as well. Playing with |
| seems like forever since my family and I were able to | | | | shaving cream on a table surface can be very |
| enjoy the outdoors without worrying about frostbite. | | | | enjoyable, and it is also a great cleaning activity! You |
| Cabin fever is really beginning to set in. I cannot wait | | | | can make sensory stress balls by filling balloons with |
| for the warm sunny spring days to arrive, and to go | | | | flour or sugar. Finally, finger painting with pudding or |
| for a bike ride with my family! The cabin fever that my | | | | jell-o can be enjoyable, too. |
| family and I have been experiencing lately seems to | | | | - Take part in physical activities. Even when the |
| be a common theme among many of the families with | | | | weather is cold outside, you can still participate in |
| whom I have been working. This time of year seems | | | | physical activities. Playing hide and seek, doing the crab |
| to be difficult for all of us, and especially for children | | | | walk, or log rolling are great for sensory input as well |
| who have sensory processing difficulties. During the | | | | as increasing physical activity. You can even do a |
| mid-winter months, we typically see an increase in | | | | 3-legged race indoors! If the weather is tolerable, then |
| sensory seeking behaviors due to the limited amount | | | | shoveling snow, ice skating, sledding, making snow |
| of play time outside or elsewhere. The holidays are | | | | angels, and building snowmen are great outdoor |
| now over as well, which means that the lights and | | | | physical activities. |
| intense sensory input of the holiday season has past. It | | | | - Turn daily chores into the Winter Olympics. Playing |
| is still important to make sure that the sensory needs | | | | games while doing chores always seems to make |
| of our kids are being met. Here are a few simple | | | | them more enjoyable for everyone. You can use |
| sensory ideas that you can use during the indoor times | | | | those chores to help meet sensory needs as well. |
| of the year. | | | | Shooting baskets with dirty clothes, playing pretend |
| - Set-up a sensory course. Children always seem to | | | | hockey with brooms and dust pans, and being a figure |
| enjoy making and playing on indoor sensory courses. | | | | skater while picking up toys can be great fun! |
| You can set-up a simple course in your living room, | | | | We can all beat winter cabin fever by including more |
| bedroom, or basement using household materials. | | | | sensory activities in our daily routines. For children with |
| Couch cushions, pillows, flat sheets, and other items | | | | sensory processing difficulties, it is even more |
| are wonderful materials that you can use to create a | | | | important to make sure that they are getting the input |
| sensory course. Your children will have a blast jumping | | | | they so desperately need. By following these simple |
| into a pile of cushions, or crawling under a sheet! | | | | sensory ideas, I hope everyone will be able to get the |
| - Increase tactile input. Many children enjoy touching or | | | | input they need during this time of year. Just keep in |
| manipulating sticky or textured surfaces that provide | | | | mind that spring really is right around the corner! |