Use these proprioception heavy work activities for calming sensory integration Try these Proprioception activities for sensory integration and calming heavy work input based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama with your little llamas!
Did you ever read Llama Llama Red Pajama and think, “That Mama Llama. Oh, I FEEL for that mama!”
She just wants to put the baby down to sleep so she can finally wash those crusty breakfast dishes. Then she has to take a call from a friend (which was probably scheduled with the intention to cross another three items from her to-do list, and totally not a call of the friendship-soul-building type). Then all she wants to do is finally… finally…put up her llama feet and sigh a deep, exhausted, mama breath.
You know that end-of-the-day mama sigh, right? A Mama can finally breathe at the end of the day, knowing that her babies are safe in their beds and quiet, at peace, and not dumping toys all over the floor. It’s the biggest sigh and is so satisfying. Maybe it was a ROUGH day. A day filled with yelling and not happy giggles. A day loaded with siblings pulling hair and not playing like nice little brothers and sisters. A day of sensory overload.
That Mama Llama. She starts in on her nightly to-dos and hears the “Maaaaammmaaaa!” from upstairs.
Ugh.
A long day just got longer.
But that “Mama!” yelling llama is scared. Nervous. Alone. Questioning. Upset.
And a mama, be it a mama llama or a tired, frizzy, overworked mama of the people variety just help.
Baby Llama’s routines have changed. The normal nightly get-a-drink-one-last-kiss-tuck-me-in norm has been a little diverted. And then, you can’t help but feel for that little llama baby who NEEDS his mama. Her KNOWS he needs her.
He needs deep pressure, sensory, proprioceptive input, calming relaxation before he can snuggle up and go to sleep. Routines have changed, a sensation triggered a thought process of what-ifs, and there is no turning back from the sensory integration that only mama can give.
And Mama Llama does just that. She drops everything, does the tuck-snuggle-one-last-kiss thing and baby llama is finally able to settle.
And that Mama Llama. She can finally take that last big sigh of the day and know that she helped her little one in every way that she could.
Proprioception Needs and Llama Llama Red Pajama book
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SO, When we read Llama Llama, Red Pajama, I couldn’t help but notice the proprioceptive needs that are being yelled for. Screamed for, even. Baby Llama needs to feel calmed after his routine is thrown. And it doesn’t take much. That one last drink that mama brings every night, or even some nights, is a known to Baby Llama. He knows his mama is going to help him and keep him safe. When that normal thing is gone because Mama is on the phone, his little llama world is thrown.
I had to put together these Llama Llama Red Pajama
Proprioception cards. They are a fun way to get a little proprioceptive input in when sensory needs are thrown and a child needs to calm, relax, and center themselves.
This sensory activity is very simple. Read Llama Llama Red Pajama. Notice how Baby Llama jumps, twists, stomps, and cries. He’s gotten so upset that there is NO way he can settle down on his own. Sometimes all it takes is a snuggle and a reassuring hug from mama, but for other kids, they need proprioception to re-group and organize themselves.
We cut out red pajama shirt shapes from red paper. After printing the free printable with the Llama proprioception activities, we cut them out and attached them to the pajama shirts.
Cut a small strip of paper to create a sleeve on the back of the pajama shapes. Slip the paper strips into the sleeve to hold the proprioception activity ideas.
Use these cards along with the book or as needed. Keep them together in a pile on a window sill or in an envelope and pull them out when calming proprioception needs are high.
Llama Llama Red Pajama Proprioception Activity
These activities provide heavy work input and can be calming for some kids. Other kids might get overly excited by the same activities. It is SO important to speak to an Occupational Therapist to find the perfect fit for your child’s individual needs. Know that no tow kids are alike and a general list will not work for every child. This list is meant to be a resource.
Proprioception activities based on the book Llama Llama Red Pajama:
- Wrap up tight in a blanket.
- Squish between pillows.
- Jump in a pile of pillows.
- Play tug-of-war with a blanket.
- Squeeze a pillow with one hands. Then use two hands.
- Hug a body pillow. Use all of your muscles!
- Fold a heavy blanket (or two or three blankets laid on top of one another. Lift and carry the folded, heavy blanket square.
- Use a sheet like a parachute.
- Do the Llama Walk (aka crab walks). Kick your hooves up high like a llama.
You’ll be directed to a link with all of our free printables in one place. It’s a jackpot of freebies. And the bonus is that you’ll receive occasional emails from me with more fun and creative ideas.
Stop by and see what the other bloggers in our Book Club Play Dates series have come up with based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama:
- Create a snack based on the book, Llama Llama Red Pajama! Find snack ideas for the book on Fun-a-Day.
- Create and play with a Llama Llama busy bag! Still Playing School has a fun idea.
- Craftulate has a great idea for a Llama Llama Red Pajama game.
- Make a Llama print craft like House of Burke.
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Are you looking for more information on Sensory Processing and Proprioception (or any of the sensory systems and how they affect functional skills, behavior, and the body’s sensory systems? This book, Sensory Lifestyle Handbook, will explain it all. Activities and Resources are included. Get it today and never struggle to understand or explain Sensory Integration again. Shop HERE.
Looking for more proprioception activities? Try these:
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