sensory diet Archives - Page 2 of 13

Christmas Mindfulness

November 9, 2023November 9, 2023 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

If Christmas mindfulness is something you would like to achieve this holiday season, we’ve got a seasonal strategy for you. This deep breaths Christmas tree is a deep breathing exercise that is sure to be a go-to Christmas season mindfulness activity that supports self-regulation needs for kids and families. Use this holiday sensory tool along with our breathing star.

Christmas Mindfulness

This time of year, most of us knee deep in holiday planning, prep work, and to-do lists! Having a few mindfulness for kids tools up your sleeve is a good idea this time of year. Today, I wanted to provide some tips on mindfulness during the holidays.

For our kids with self-regulation needs or emotional regulation challenges that impact learning, emotions, anxiety, or worries, the holiday season can be a time of even more concern.

Over the holidays, school and routines are off. There may be late nights at holiday parties, parents out for work events, unfamiliar family and friends visiting, new sights and sounds. All of this sensory input and environmental input can put a regulation system on overdrive.

Then, in the school environment, there may be school parties, special events, and special themed days. The classroom Christmas party (or winter party) can be cause for sensory overload for some kids. Picture a classroom full of excited children at the end of a semester. The noises, sights, and environmental input can be just too much.

In the community, there is holiday music, crowds, and a sense of excitement in the air. This can be a reason all its own for Christmas mindfulness tools.

Then imagine the child with regulation needs at a family party with unfamiliar guests, a scratchy sweater, strange smells, and lots of noise. A Christmas mindfulness tool that the child can pull out and use to ease worries or stressors can be a great strategy for this time of year.

Kids are barraged by schedule changes, anticipation of holiday events, later bedtimes, holiday travel, parent/teacher stress, increased sugar…and more. They feel these big feelings and can “lose it”, seemingly at the drop of a hat. Children can melt down in front of our eyes. This time of year perhaps especially, there is SO much going on inside those little bodies and minds. Focusing on mindfulness and coping strategies can help.

I mean, think about it this way: We as adults are totally stressed out by deadlines, shopping lists, travel, extended family, holiday budgets, and the never-ending to-do lists.

Our kids see that stress and anxiety.

Think about our kiddos with sensory struggles. They are bombarded by lights and music, hustle and bustle in the grocery store, shopping mall, and even by the neighborhood lights. The later bedtimes and influx of sensory input is a challenge to process for them. It’s overwhelming and exhausting.

Think about our students with praxis or motor issues. There are crowds to navigate, auditorium stages to maneuver and they need to do it FAST. There are schedules to maintain and growing to-do lists!

And that’s just the beginning. All of our kids…no matter what their strengths or needs be…struggle with the change in routines, the adult stress, anticipation, holiday projects, gift giving issues, that extra sugar from holiday sweets, itchy holiday sweaters and scratchy tights, or mom’s stress from holiday traffic.

That “iceberg” of underlying issues and concerns is a holiday version that leads to emotional breakdowns, poor coping skills, and sensory meltdowns.

Now, think about the kiddo with executive functioning challenges. They can’t plan ahead or prioritize tasks when they have a holiday letter to write, a classroom sing-along to practice for, and Grandma’s house to visit next weekend. It’s hard for them to function when their routine is off kilter and anticipation is high.

There are so many benefits to mindfulness, and supporting kids in this way makes a huge impact. Having a few Christmas themed mindfulness strategies on hand could make all the difference when it comes to experiencing all that this season has to offer.

Christmas Mindfulness Activity

Below, you will find a Christmas mindfulness activity and some coping strategies to address the holiday stress. This mindfulness tool goes along well with our Pumpkin deep breathing exercise, and Thanksgiving mindfulness activity.

When we think about the holidays from the perspective of a child. Having a set of mindfulness activities for kids is a great way to fill their toolbox with strategies they can use each day.

Essentially, the post urges us to be mindful of the child’s thought process, emotions, and coping strategies this time of year.

Holiday Mindfulness

Below, you’ll find a printable Deep breathing Christmas tree printable that kids can use to support regulation needs. It offers relaxation breathing as a sensory tool.

Print off the sheet and trace along the arrows as the user breathes deeply in and out. This calm and centering visual tracking paired with deep breathing can help the user to focus with mindful breathing.

Mindful breathing is helpful in calming heart rate, easing anxious thoughts, and helping the user to focus on one thought rather than the many thoughts that may be running through their head.

You can even pair the visual Christmas mindfulness breathing tool with visualizations.

Ask the user to visualize a calm space with a lit Christmas tree in a dimly lit room.
Ask the user to visualize a calm space rather than the hustle and bustle that may be happening around them.
Invite the user to imagine deeply breathing in the scent of a Christmas tree and breathing out the same scent as they empty their lungs.
Invite the user to picture the worry and anxiety slowly releasing from their body as they move down the slopes of the Christmas tree.
Pair the deep breathing with thoughts of things that remind you of peace and love (for example) for with each breath.
For each layer of the tree, kids can concentrate on one thing, person, or aspect of the holidays that they are grateful for. Thinking about whatever it is that you are grateful for is a simple way to pair the benefits of slow deep breaths with intentional thoughts.

Focus on breath control as the user breaths in and out.

Then, show the user how to carry over this Christmas mindfulness strategy using a real Christmas tree.

After using the printable Christmas tree deep breathing exercise, they can look at a real Christmas tree and trace the lines of the tree’s sides with their eyes as they breathe in and breathe out.
Ask them to trace an imaginary Christmas tree, or triangle shape on the palm of their hand using the pointer finger of their other hand.

This becomes a Christmas mindfulness tool that they can use any where and any time even without the printable exercise.

Christmas COping Tools

This holiday season, I wanted to fill your toolbox with the tools your little one (or client/student) needs to thrive.

These are the strategies and tips we can use to slow down, take a deep breath, and recognize the underlying issues going on behind behaviors, meltdowns, and frustrations.

Because when you have the tools in place, you have a blueprint for success in the child.

Here are some holiday tools that can help both YOU and a CHILD struggling with all that this time of year brings…

Christmas Mindfulness

This is a coloring page. Use it as a handout or home program. Kids can color it in and work on fine motor skills, too!

Use the Christmas mindfulness handout with kids as a group or individually. You can set this up in several ways. Ask them fist to list out some things they are grateful for. Then, quietly say an item with each breath break.

As a mindfulness group activity, use the Christmas tree graphic and explain that they will be pairing deep breathing with a focus on love or peace. Come up with a list of things the group loves about the holidays. As you work through he deep breathing exercise, the children in the group can focus on things that brings them peace personally.

Or, you could invite the child to think in their head about some things that remind them of the holidays and then with each breath in, they intentionally concentrate on that thing/person/idea.

More Christmas Mindfulness Strategies

Here are more coping tools for kids that focus on addressing underlying needs so that kids can function. Use these strategies as part of a sensory diet or within the day.

The thing about mindfulness is that the tools that support needs will differ for every individual. During the holiday season, there are ways to support mindful needs with the holidays in mind:

Go for a walk outside
Look at Christmas lights
Write a holiday card to a friend
Watch a Christmas movie
Drink hot cocoa
Use this Christmas wreath deep breathing exercise
Use this Christmas star deep breathing exercise
Suck on a peppermint or candy cane
Create your own sensory potpourri
Create Christmas crafts
Sit by a fire
Read a book
Listen to Christmas music
Make time for exercise
Bake cookies
Use the Christmas coloring page below!

All of these are self-regulation strategies with a holiday theme and can be a powerful tool when it comes to supporting emotional and sensory needs during the holidays.

Mindful Christmas

Having a mindful Christmas can mean being aware of stressors or things that add a sense of dysregulation.

During the holiday season, the connection between mindfulness and self-regulation becomes even more crucial, especially for children and therapy providers navigating the potential stress, anxiety, and worries associated with this time. Mindfulness practices offer a valuable toolkit for managing these challenges:

Stress Reduction: The holiday season can bring added stress, but mindfulness provides a means to cultivate a calm and centered state, helping both children and therapy providers navigate and mitigate holiday-related stressors.

Emotional Regulation: Mindfulness practices, tailored for children and therapy providers, become essential tools for recognizing and regulating emotions heightened by holiday-related pressures. This contributes to a more emotionally balanced experience.

Anxiety Management: Mindfulness techniques, such as mindful breathing or guided imagery, can be powerful allies in managing anxiety. They provide a practical and accessible way for children and therapy providers to alleviate anxiety during the holiday hustle.

Worry Coping Strategies: The mindfulness approach of observing thoughts without judgment is particularly helpful in addressing worries. Children and therapy providers can utilize mindfulness to create a mental space to acknowledge concerns and develop effective coping strategies.

Enhanced Focus and Presence: Mindfulness helps maintain focus on the present moment, preventing holiday-related worries from overwhelming the joy of the season. This is especially beneficial for therapy providers supporting children, ensuring they are fully present during sessions.

Cultivating Resilience: Mindfulness fosters resilience by promoting adaptability and acceptance. This quality becomes crucial during the holiday season, where unexpected changes or challenges may arise for both children and therapy providers.

Empathy and Connection: Mindfulness practices that emphasize compassion and empathy contribute to a sense of connection. Therapy providers can incorporate these practices to create a supportive and understanding environment for children navigating holiday stressors.

By integrating mindfulness into therapeutic approaches, therapy providers can empower children with valuable self-regulation tools, fostering a positive and mindful experience during the holiday season. The practices not only address immediate stressors but also contribute to building resilience and coping skills for the long term.

Free printable Christmas Mindfulness Printable

Want to grab our Christmas tree mindfulness deep breathing exercise? Enter your email address into the form below. This printable is also available inside The OT Toolbox Member’s Club. Members can log in and head over to our Mindfulness Toolbox where we have this and other Christmas mindfulness printable exercises.

Print off this Christmas breathing activity and start supporting skills. This Christmas coping skills activity can be used on the go while out and about this holiday season, at a family get together, or during school assemblies for the holiday season.

Wishing you a thriving, stress-free, and functional holiday season for you and those kiddos you serve!

You will also want to grab a copy of our breathing star, which can be paired with our Christmas mindfulness tool.

Colleen Beck, OTR/L has been an occupational therapist since 2000, working in school-based, hand therapy, outpatient peds, EI, and SNF. Colleen created The OT Toolbox to inspire therapists, teachers, and parents with easy and fun tools to help children thrive. Read her story about going from an OT making $3/hour (after paying for kids’ childcare) to a full-time OT resource creator for millions of readers. Want to collaborate? Send an email to contact@theottoolbox.com.

Looking for done-for you therapy activities this holiday season?

This print-and-go Christmas Therapy Kit includes no-prep, fine motor, gross motor, self-regulation, visual perceptual activities…and much more… to help kids develop functional grasp, dexterity, strength, and endurance. Use fun, Christmas-themed, motor activities so you can help children develop the skills they need.

This 100 page no-prep packet includes everything you need to guide fine motor skills in face-to-face AND virtual learning. You’ll find Christmas-themed activities for hand strength, pinch and grip, dexterity, eye-hand coordination, bilateral coordination, endurance, finger isolation, and more.

Click here to grab the Christmas Therapy Kit.

Beach Ball Wiggle Cushion

October 16, 2023September 12, 2023 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

One trick up my occupational therapy sleeve is using a beach ball cushion as a cheap sensory seat alternative. A beach ball wiggle cushion is actually a DIY occupational therapy seat cushion that offers all of the sensory input that a typical wiggle cushion offers but at a much more affordable cost. This is an OT tip that I’ve used time and time again to support sensory needs in the classroom. Let’s explore this occupational therapy sensory seat alternative!

This blog post was originally published May 11, 2016 and updated in 2023.

As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Beach Ball Cushion

You’ve probably seen a wiggle seat or other occupational therapy sensory cushion in use. However, have you ever seen a beach ball cushion in action?

Let’s explain…

Sensory strategies in the classroom are not always easy to use. There are many factors at play for the school based OT: items get lost, the price of sensory items, the carryover…there are a lot of factors that impact the use of sensory strategies such as wiggle seat cushions! However, the need for calm down items in school environments are prevalent.

Flexible seating in the school environment is one area that school based OTs address, because of the impact that seating may have on learning:

Posture and sitting balance
Handwriting and fine motor skills
Attention and focus in learning
Sensory input and needs
Vision needs
Other

However alternatives to seating can be pricy. That’s why having a few DIY flexible seating options are handy.

Affiliate links are included in this post.

occupational therapy seat cushion

Take a look in a classroom or an Occupational Therapist’s clinic. You might see a few interesting occupational therapy seat cushions that are used to support sensory and regulation needs.

There are bright blue disk cushions, wedges (affiliate link) of different sizes, and even giant therapy balls (affiliate link), wiggle stools, and even sensory chairs. All of these sensory seating ideas are perfect for vestibular input during sitting.

Each of these occupational therapy cushions are designed to promote movement and wiggling to allow for improved attention and needed sensory input.

Wobbly seat cushions, or “wiggle cushions” like these are used for self regulation and allow students to attend to classwork or sit at the dining room table while participating in functional tasks because their body has an opportunity to fidget with calming or alerting sensory input.

These types of seats allow kids to keep their mind focused and help kids who can’t seem to sit still.

Address vestibular needs with this easy therapy hack!

Therapy discs or cushions are perfect for so many kids. There is no denying that they help many children and even whole classrooms stay on task. But, the biggest issue with these types of therapy seating options is the price. At $25/cushion (or more!), it can become a pricey option for better attention.

Cheap sensory seating hack to help kids with attention, fidgeting needs, and sensory vestibular sensory input needs. This sensory hack is perfect for kids with SPD, and neurotypical children, too.

Cheap Sensory Seat Cushion

Today, I’ve got a simple sensory hack for therapy cushions. This is a tip that I’ve recommended for years as a pediatric Occupational Therapist. School districts that simply could not afford to purchase one therapy cushion were able to use this therapy hack to help with attention and sensory needs.

Enter the beach ball.

Every time I’ve shared this tip with parents, teachers, and administrators, I’ve gotten wide eyes and a “ooooh” type of response.

Ready?

Grab a beach ball from your nearest dollar store.
Inflate it with only one or two breaths.
Place the beach ball on a chair.

Watch your little one wiggle and move while attending to their math homework, spelling list, or dinner conversation.

Some classrooms that I’ve serviced as an Occupational Therapist had decided to use partially inflated beach balls with many of the students.

This sensory hack is an easy fix for every child, whether they exhibit attention or sensory needs or are neurotypical children.

Moving and fidgeting is an attention strategy that every one of us uses. Try this inexpensive sensory hack with your kiddo.

Sitting on the partially inflated beach ball adds an unstable seating surface and allows for just enough movement that children can better focus and attend. They are given vestibular input through their trunk to help with fidgeting needs.

Need more movement ideas? Try balance beam activities.

Another idea for that $1 beach ball:
Place it on the floor for a movement surface for the feet. Given the chance to move the feet, most kids are able to better attend to desk work.

NOTE: A $1 beach ball will NOT last forever. It will pop at some point. Excessive sitting and standing with force will shorten the lifespan of your sensory seating hack. Be aware that while this is a great seating option for kids with attention and sensory needs, it is not the intended use of a beach ball. Inflating the beach ball more than a few breaths will make the seating surface more firm, however, it will make the beach ball more prone to popping.

TIP: Some kids might tend to slide forward into a slouched position when sitting on the partially inflated beach ball. Add a sheet of dycem (affiliate link) to the surface of the seat to keep the beach ball from sliding.

Are you looking for more information on Sensory Processing or any of the body’s sensory systems and how they affect functional skills and behavior? 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 sensory hacks to help with fidgeting? Try these along with your occupational therapy seat cushions:

Back to School Sensory Activities

October 16, 2023August 28, 2023 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

It’s that time of year and having a few back to school sensory activities up your sleeve can make all the difference in a stuffy, hot classroom when kids need self-regulation tools after a long summer break. Whether you are looking for classroom sensory diet strategies, or sensory strategies for the school-based OT, putting a back-to-school spin on “sensory” is a hit during the Fall months.

Back-to-School Sensory Activities

The back-to-school season is a prime time to dust off those sensory cobwebs and consider how sensory motor input supports students.

In this blog post, you’ll find a list of ways to support sensory needs using a back-to-school theme. The ideas are great for this time of year when welcoming a new roster of students into the classroom.

When it comes to back-to-school sensory strategies, you’ll also want to check out free ways to incorporate sensory motor experiences into the classroom.

Our free sensory strategy toolkit is another great resource that supports school-based OTs, educators, and parents of students with sensory needs.
You’ll also find many resources, including a printable sensory activity sheet here on this article about calm down strategies for school.
These ideas for sensory seekers can be adapted to meet school-based needs (or used in the home for homework time, the after-school period, or homeschooling)

Why Use Back-to-School Sensory Activities?

Heading back into the school year can throw some kids for a spin. The first few weeks can be a change in routine from the safety of home. For kids who are starting up on a homeschool routine, it can be difficult to pay attention when sensory needs and distractions are in the next room. This can lead to self-regulation needs that support the student’s ability to concentrate and learn after a summer off from the routines of school.

Other reasons for using sensory strategies during the back-to-school season include:

Earlier wake-up times after a summer of staying up late and sleeping in. A quick sensory motor brain break can make all the difference.
A new routine may throw some students for a loop.
The transition period can be a real challenge for some children. It might be the early alarm clock or using time management in the morning that is a challenge. For other kids, moving to a new school, or even just going back to the classroom in general can be a challenge. Try these transition strategies to support these needs.
Distractions and Technology: With the prevalence of screen time in kids, and the use of technology/devices, students may find it difficult to focus on schoolwork without being distracted by social media, video games, or other online activities. A quick sensory break can help with attention and distractions.
Social-emotional needs: Social emotional dynamics can change over the summer, and students may feel pressure to fit in or establish their social identity when school resumes. This pressure can affect their self-esteem and confidence. The ability to regulate emotions might lead to challenges with learning due to the emotional regulation and executive function connection.

You may have a child of your own that “crashes” after a week of school during this time of year. There is a lot happening that is just exhausting during the return to school. Sometimes, all it takes for an easy transition into the back to school days is a sensory strategy that meets the needs of the sensory child. Let’s explore these ideas below…

Back-to-School Sensory Ideas

These sensory activities are ones that can easily be used in the classroom or homeschool room. They are strategies that can be incorporated into the student’s daily routine within the school environment.

These school sensory activities are presented in list form for ease and planning, but they can be used in a classroom sensory diet or in various strategies.

The ideas below are ones that easily allow the child to meet their sensory needs in a natural way, so that it is not an interruption to the classroom or other students.

Rather, some of these sensory strategies are movement and heavy work-based ideas that can easily be adapted for the whole classroom for brain break type of activities.

As always, these sensory ideas are ONLY ideas and should be regarded as a reference. Every child is different and has different sensory needs.

The ideas presented below are not regarded as Occupational Therapy treatment and should only be used in addition to and along with an individualized Occupational Therapy plan made following assessment.

Sensory Activities for Back to School

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Wall Push-Ups- Show the student how to push against the wall while doing “push-ups” from a standing position. This is a great heavy work activity, or a quick “brain break” activity that provides proprioceptive input for heavy work for improved focus, calming, and self-regulation.

2. Desk Fidget- Use a DIY fidget or a store bought hand fidget toy (affiliate link) to allow the child tactile sensory or proprioceptive input to the hands for improved attention and focus while sitting and performing desk work.

3. Chair Push-Ups- Allow the child to push up from the seat with his arms, keeping the elbows strait. Pushing up through the arms provides proprioceptive heavy work through the upper body.

4. Move desk/furniture.

5. Erase the chalkboard or dry erase board.

6. Sensory errand- Carry milk crates or plastic bins full of books or supplies from center to center around the classroom or from room to room in the building. Some schools have an “important message” to other classrooms or the office in the form of a folder. Just moving, taking a quick walk through the hallway, to deliver a note or other message can offer a much-needed sensory break. For more heavy work input, add a tote bag filled with books or ask the student to push a cart with materials.

7. Shoe laces fidget- Add a couple of beads to the child’s shoe laces for a fidget toy that can be used discretely while sitting in floor circle time or during desk work.

8. Manual Pencil Sharpener- Turning and sharpening pencils with a manual pencil sharpener provides proprioception to bilateral upper extremities. This can be a good task prior to writing tasks.

9. Backpack for carrying supplies from room to room- Students can carry supplies to other classrooms in a backpack for heavy input. This can be a calming strategy while walking the hallways to other areas in the school as well, such as while walking to the lunch room or special classes. The hallway can be an overwhelming and high-sensory environment so deep pressure to center the child can be helpful.

10. Stapler heavy work- Staple paper or remove staples from a bulletin board for upper body proprioceptive input.

11. Sensory seat- Air cushion seating such as a wiggle seat cushion (affiliate link) or a frugal, DIY version using a $1 wiggle seat cushion option. Here are more ideas for alternative seating options and even some DIY flexible seating ideas.

12. Place chairs on rugs. Sliding chairs on classroom floors can lead to auditory overload for some sensory kids. Try using carpet squares under each individual chair. When the child pushes his chair out, he can slide the chair right on the carpet square out from the desk.

13. Hallway March- Get the whole class involved in a “walk this way” activity. They can march from the classroom to specials or the lunchroom. Try other brain break and whole body movements while walking in the line down the hallway, too: Try high knee lifts, toe walking, heel walking, elbows to knees, and patting the knees while walking.

14. Sports bottles for drinking- Sipping water through a long straw or sports bottle (affiliate link) can allow the students to focus and attend given proprioceptive input through the mouth. This is a great whole classroom strategy for helping with attention and self-regulation. Read more about using a water bottle as a sensory tool.

15. Movement breaks in the gym or classroom- A quick brain break can help kids focus during periods of desk work.

16. Push mats in the gym- Moving those big gym mats is a great whole body proprioception activity. Or, ask students to move desks or other equipment that uses the whole body.

17. Auditory support- Headphones for limiting auditory stimulation during center work or times when there is a lot of chatter in the classroom. Here are more tips for auditory sensitivity in the classroom.

18. Visual picture list- Knowing what to expect is a non-traditional sensory strategy. But when you think about it, the visual input is a support when it comes to knowing what is next, how much time is left until lunch, and how much longer the day will last. A visual schedule can be a benefit for the whole classroom. Try this daily pocket chart schedule. (affiliate link)

19. Simon Says Spelling- Try practicing spelling words with a movement and vestibular sensory input Simon Says version. Try these Simon Says commands if there are a few extra minutes to use up during the school day or between transitions.

20. Play dough math for proprioceptive input through the hands. Try a math smash type of activity and use a heavy resistive dough like this DIY proprioception dough. There are many benefits of play dough and sensory input is just one of them!

21. Kneaded eraser for sensory input through the hands- Use a kneaded pencil eraser (affiliate link) for a hand-held fidget that doubles as an eraser with proprioceptive input.

22. Crunchy snack break- Try snacks like pretzels, crackers, kale chips, popcorn, or roasted chickpeas for an alerting snack. Oral motor exercises offer calming or alerting input and using a crunchy (or chewy) snack can support these needs.

23. Sensory bin for math or sight words- Create a sight word sensory bin or even use a sensory bin for math or spelling words. This can be a fun and unexpected way to dive back into spelling after the summer break! Add tactile sensory input to learning using a variety of sensory bin fillers. Ideas include shaving cream, shredded paper, crafting pom poms, among many other ideas.

24. Vibrating pen rainbow writing for sight word or spelling practice- Proprioceptive input to the hands can be very helpful for many kids, especially if they are writing with too much pencil pressure.

25. Jump/move/hop in hallway- Take a movement and brain break with a hallway movement activity. Add learning aspect with spelling, facts, or math.

26. Roll a ball on the legs- Add a vestibular aspect to vocabulary or themed learning, including history, English language arts, or science. Kids can answer questions and when they answer the question, they roll the ball along their legs by bending down to roll the ball on their thighs.

27. Hopscotch Math- Add a hopping proprioception activity to the classroom with a hopscotch board created right in the classroom using masking tape.

28. Graph Paper Writing- Add a visual sensory twist to handwriting, math, spelling, or any written work by using graph paper. The added lines can be just the visual spatial prompt needed for kids with visual sensory processing concerns. Here are more sensory based reasons to use graph paper.

29. Make a desk sensory diet box- Use a dollar store pencil case to create customized sensory diet bins that can fit right into the desk. Items would be used specific to the child’s needs, but might include resistive putty, paper clips for fidgeting, or movable toys (affiliate link). Use these occupational therapy kits for more ideas.

30. Wash desks with spray bottles. Squeezing a spray bottle to wash desks or water plants offers heavy work through the hands.

31. Cut classroom decorations from oaktag. Heavy input through the hands by cutting thicker paper is a great way to add a quick and functional movement break. Students will love to see their handiwork on the walls, too.

32. Create a calm down corner in the classroom– This can include fidgets, mindfulness centers, books, and many more sensory tools. Plus try these other calm down strategies for school.

33. Try a sensory swing- Sensory swings for modulation can be used when applicable and recommended by an occupational therapy provider. Sometimes, you’ll see these in a sensory room or in a therapy room in the school. Here is more information on types of sensory swings.

34. Use the playground! Getting those students outside can make a great sensory movement break. Check out how to use the playground for sensory input and read this resource on sensory diets at the playground.

All of these ideas support sensory needs and are great activities to use during the back-to-school time. We love that they are fun, functional, and the whole classroom can benefit!

Want more ideas to support sensory needs at school? Grab a free copy of our Classroom Sensory Strategy Packet.

Related resources include our blog post on Ayres Sensory Integration. This is a great place to start with gathering information on the sensory processing systems and the related behavioral, emotional, physical, and cognitive responses that we see.

The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook walks you through sensory processing information, each step of creating a meaningful and motivating sensory diet, that is guided by the individual’s personal interests and preferences.

The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook is not just about creating a sensory diet to meet sensory processing needs. This handbook is your key to creating an active and thriving lifestyle based on a deep understanding of sensory processing.

Sensory Strategies for Road Trips

September 15, 2023June 12, 2023 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

To the child with sensory sensitivities, a family road trip can mean sensory overload. Summer break brings long car rides as the family road trip is an essential during the summer months. But how do you prevent sensory dysregulation on a long car ride? In this blog post, you’ll find sensory strategies for road trips including ideas for road trip tips for kids with sensory issues and an oral motor sensory break that helps with sensory needs during car rides.

Get ready for your next road trip while addressing sensory needs!

Sensory Strategies for Family Road Trips

Surviving a long family road trip when a member of the family has sensory sensitivities can make a long car ride challenging. For those with sensory processing disorder, Autism, ADHD or other neurodiversities, sensory sensitivities can make long car rides difficult.

Preparing in advance to support the sensory sensitive individual can make all the difference! In fact, the sensory strategies listed below can support any individual, as we all have differing sensory needs.

These sensory activities for car rides can be used for any age. This is a plan to have in place to prepare for the long car ride when sensory processing needs impact the ability to sit in the car to get to the destination.

Create a sensory story to talk about the trip in advance. Use the travel sensory story to guide use of sensory tools during the road trip.
Pack preferred sensory tools. These items can be placed in the vehicle or alongside the child while travelling so they can access the sensory tools during the roadtrip.
Movement breaks! Stopping in advance of breakdowns is critical. Plan out stops in advance so you know when the next stop is. If possible, plan out stops according to location. Use local playgrounds as areas to run and play during road trip stops.
Chew on a straw
Plan on brain breaks at stops
Blow through a straw
Play car games such as I Spy, or find items in the scenery and make a story.
Create a sensory lifestyle with built-in sensory breaks based on motivation and meaningful activities (outlined in our Sensory Lifestyle Handbook)
Eat crunchy snacks like pretzels
Offer chewy snacks like beef jerky, dry raisins/cranberries, or fruit leather
Drink a smoothie through a sippy cup with a straw-type top
Make a DIY road trip busy bag.
Use a “crazy straw” in a cup. The smaller opening is great for oral motor input.
Make a sensory kit with fidgets or other sensory tools
Play “Simon Says” with mouth exercises: Suck cheeks in/puff cheeks out/Make a big “O” shape/Stretch out the tongue. You’ll find many on our Simon Says commands blog post.
Chew gum
Create a sensory diet specifically for the trip
Use a straw to suck and pick up pieces of paper. Transfer them carefully to a cup using only the straw.
Weighted blanket or throw
Make a chewy snack holder (below) along with the kids to plan for sensory needs during the long car ride.
Use a partially deflated beach ball as a sensory cushion on the floor. The individual can move their feet on the wiggle cushion.

Oral motor sensory break for road trips

If you’ve ever taken a road trip with kids then you know how nerve wracking a long trip can be for the kids and the parents. Long road trips with the family are definitely fun. They are certainly stressful and chaotic times with sibling love and revelry, but definitely memory-making. Whether you have one child or 6, a road trip involves planning, especially when sensory needs are at play.

You prepare the books, the activities, the snacks, the music, or videos. You can prep it all, but no matter what, there will be craziness that only kids can bring. There are the potty emergencies that happen 20 minutes after you left the rest stop. There are the drink spills that saturate the car seats. There are spilled toys and fights that break out among sisters. But through it all, you’re plowing 65 miles an hour to memories.

But, when all of this chaos is happening, you can take mini-sensory breaks that will give the kids a chance to calm down the fidgets and the wiggles.

As an occupational therapist in the school-based setting, I often times made recommendations to parents and teachers for kids who needed to move during the span of a class or school-day.

Unfortunately, when you are travelling long distances in a car on a road trip, you can’t always stop and get out to move and stretch. There are definitely times that a rest stop is needed and those are the perfect times for kids to get out of the car and run a bit.

But, when you are stuck in a van or car for a while, sometimes kids just need to have a sensory break. This is true for typical kids or kids with sensory processing disorders (and parents, too)!

We made these snack bottles to help with calming sensory input using Twizzlers Twists.

Sensory Processing Disorder (and types of sensory needs, outlined in our Sensory Lifestyle Handbook) in children can present with many different sensory needs due to difficulties with modulating sensory input.

The long car ride of a family vacation can cause sensory overload or a lack of sensory input to kids who need help regulating input. Whether a child with sensory processing disorder is sensory seeking, under-responsive to sensory input, or sensory defensive, oral motor sensory integration activities like chewy beef jerky sticks, twizzlers, licorice chews, or fruit leather can help.

The repetition of chewing a licorice twist can help to calm and regulate sensory needs.

Related, please check out our resource on Ayres Sensory Integration for an understanding on the theory of what is happening in our sensory systems.

Oral motor sensory input for kids with sensory processing disorder or typical kids who need a sensory break and proprioceptive input during long car rides.

How To make a Road Trip Sensory Snack

With kids, a road trip almost guarantees a messy car with crumbs and spills. We wanted to create a container that would hold our Twizzlers or licorice twists and keep the mess on the lower end. A cute container is bonus, so we pulled out the ribbons and glue gun.

These snack holders will keep our Twizzlers or fruit chews ready for kids (and the parents) that need a quick sensory break during a long trip:

Gather a few tall plastic jars from the recycle bin. We used recycled peanut jars and loved that the lids coordinated with our Twizzlers Twists!

Grab a strand of ribbon and the glue gun to make these jars something special.

Cut the ribbon to fit around the jar. Using the hot glue gun, attach the ribbon. You can layer on colors, or get the kids involved in decorating by using decorative tape or even permanent markers to decorate the snack containers.

Now you’ll need Twizzlers candy. We grabbed our Twizzlers Twists and Twizzlers Pull N Peels along with all of the other must-haves for our vacation.

Fill the containers with Twizzlers Twists and Twizzlers Pull N Peels. They are ready to grab and go on your next road trip with the family!

More Sensory Strategies for Road Trips

You’ll find more tools to survive Summer road trips with a sensory sensitive child that meet the interests of the child in our book, The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook. The book supports interests and motivating activities that occur naturally during the day to day tasks like a long car ride!

The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook is a comprehensive resource offering a strategy guide to create sensory diets and turn them into a lifestyle of sensory success!

Forest Sensory Path

December 12, 2023October 12, 2022 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

If taking a break is a must, but getting outside is tricky, then this Forest Sensory Path hits the mark! We’ve created another fun printable to our collection of free sensory paths with all of the calming benefits of nature and being in the woods. This printable forest sensory walk is perfect for bringing the calming input of nature into the indoors. Be sure to read this resource on sensory nature walks to read up on those calming and organizing self-regulation benefits of woods and nature.

Forest Sensory Path

It seems life is getting more chaotic since the pandemic. This may stem from isolation, lack of exposure, too much electronic use, stressors, or a sudden thrust back into “real life”. Compounding this is the fact that learners do not know how to combat these environmental stressors, or self regulate. It seems learners need instruction on how to take a break. That’s where these Forest Themed Sensory Path stations come in, which provide a structured sensory break, to help reorganize thoughts and body.

Sensory paths and sensory stations became popular with the addition of expensive stickers set up around the school. These are awesome as a self-regulation activity and to address mindfulness with kids! If you don’t have the budget or space for these custom stickers, try one of the sensory walk stations offered by the OT Toolbox.

This month the Forest Sensory Path will fit in perfectly with your fall leaves occupational therapy theme. Add your email below to be sent this FREE download.

How does the FOrest sensory path work?

Sensory activities like this Forest Sensory Walk Station offer tasks to promote body and mind regulation. The initial response to a learner out of sync is to tell them to calm down.

What does “calm down” mean to you? Adults generally have already figured out appropriate strategies to reduce anxiety, inducing a feeling of calm.

Children have no idea what “calm” looks like, because they rarely act this way. They also lack the ability to calm themselves, or know what to do to slow their body/brain down. Having a strategy, movement, or action to stop, self-analyze, breathe for a moment, and take a break from the environmental or internal input, is a literal break for the brain and body. This is where we get the term brain breaks!

Sensory stations provide the framework for self regulation.

Printable Sensory Path: Forest Theme

This Forest Sensory path combines deep breathing and proprioceptive input with eight different activities. Proprioceptive exercise is a “go to” input for organizing the sensory processing system and regulating the sensory systems.

It is alerting for those who are experiencing low arousal, and calming for those who seek additional input to get regulated.

Connected to proprioception and interoception, deep breathing exercises slow the central nervous system, often elevated during periods of fight or flight responses.

The ultimate goal of sensory regulation is self-regulation. Learners need to understand what strategies work for them, and when they are needed. Sensory strategies are unique to each learner.

Just as adults have different routines they use for concentration and focus, children develop varied strategies.

Imagine the additional responsibility teachers take on remembering and learning the sensory needs of each of their students.

When a student can advocate for themselves, this not only helps the student, but their caregivers as well.

How to use the Forest Sensory Paths?

Lowest level learners need to be taken through the walk step by step
Middle level learners can be supervised while participating

Higher level learners will be able to complete this activity when instructed, or advocate for a sensory break
Laminate the page for reusability. This saves on resources. Caregivers or young learners can help decorate these pages before they are laminated.
Make this part of a larger lesson plan including gross motor, sensory, social, executive function, or other fine motor skills
Print in black and white, in color, or on colored paper for different levels of difficulty
Project this page onto a smart board for students to learn these activities as a group
More or less prompting may be needed to grade the activity to make it easier or harder.
Learners can explore other ways they could use this activity
Explore different options for setting up this sensory station. It could be appropriate in a classroom, hallway, gymnasium, outside the school, or walking into the cafeteria, depending on the needs of your learners

sensory paths for elementary schools

Some of the big budget sensory paths are thousands of dollars and require permanent installation over laminate floors. In many cases, getting approval for the purchase of a sensory path in an elementary school is just out of the question.

The good news is that our printable sensory paths are totally free, AND you can print off the pages and switch out the themes according to the season.

The other benefit that most therapist users see is that the printable pages can be positioned and placed according to the environment. These sensory path pages can be placed in a page protector sleeve and hung in a hallway. Or they can be laminated and placed in a calm down corner. The options are pretty limitless.

A few other common questions about using the Forest sensory path in elementary schools or in therapy clinics can include:

Do sensory paths work for all learners? No. Sensory strategies are not one size fits all unfortunately. Much of the treatment relies on trial and error. If the forest sensory stations walk does not calm your learner, it is possible the treatment came too late, after the learner was already shut down. Some learners are not able to self regulate through all parts of the sensory stations, however it is a great and simple activity for those who do.
How long should my learner use a sensory path? There is no defined time frame for any self regulation strategies. Some learners calm quickly, needing a diversion from their current state in order to regulate. Other learners may take several minutes to calm after an upset. Watch for signs of regulation and calming before suggesting your learner stops. After the Forest Sensory Station Walk, take note of how long your learner is able to stay regulated.
How often should I use a sensory path? Some learners need a boost of sensory regulation every twenty minutes, while others can go several hours before they need a moment to reset. Watch for signs of disorganization and jump in with strategies before meltdown occurs.
Will a sensory path work consistently every time? Probably not. This worked last week, but not this week. What happened? Sensory strategies are not an exact science. Have a large “bag of tricks” in your toolbox to be able to offer several different strategies.
How long will the effects of a sensory path last? Every learner is different. A very dysregulated learner may need almost constant strategies for self regulation. A learner who is more organized and has been practicing strategies for a while, might reap the benefits of this sensory stations for two hours. A great sensory workout can have long lasting effects.
Are sensory paths and sensory stations an evidenced based practice? Because of the nature of sensory dysregulation and the strategies offered, it is very difficult to get consistent data in this area. Use your clinical judgment and observations to determine how effective this Forest Themed Sensory Stations Walk is.

Other Resources from the OT Toolbox

Summer Sensory Stations
Winter Sensory Stations
Christmas Sensory Stations
Hanukkah Deep Breathing Printable (add this to pieces from the Winter sensory paths and Christmas sensory paths to create a great Hanukkah Sensory Path)
Fall Sensory Stations
Spring Sensory Stations

Free Printable Forest Sensory Path

Want to add a forest themed sensory path to your therapy toolbox? Enter your email address into the form below. This resource is also available inside The OT Toolbox Member’s Club. Members can log into their account and access this resource in the Forest Animals Therapy Theme area. Not a member of The OT Toolbox Member’s Club? Join us!

Victoria Wood, OTR/L is a contributor to The OT Toolbox and has been providing Occupational Therapy treatment in pediatrics for more than 25 years. She has practiced in hospital settings (inpatient, outpatient, NICU, PICU), school systems, and outpatient clinics in several states. She has treated hundreds of children with various sensory processing dysfunction in the areas of behavior, gross/fine motor skills, social skills and self-care. Ms. Wood has also been a featured speaker at seminars, webinars, and school staff development training. She is the author of Seeing your Home and Community with Sensory Eyes.

Sensory Diets for Adults

June 3, 2024October 3, 2022 by Victoria Wood OTR/L

Do adults need a sensory diet? Yes! A Sensory Diet for Adults is just as beneficial as it is for children. Exactly what is a sensory diet? A sensory diet supports the sensory needs of any individual, providing them with a set of sensory strategies used to assist with the regulation of activity levels, attention, and adaptive responses. We ALL have our levels of comfort when it comes to personal bubbles! Looking at this list, adults definitely NEED the ability to self-regulate, organize their sensory systems, and support their sensory and emotional needs. So how can we go about this in the midst of work, parenting, and everything the day brings?

How do you create a sensory diet for adults?

The overall goals of a sensory diet are to meet the sensory needs of an individual by preventing sensory overload, supporting self-regulation, and helping to have an organized response to sensory stimuli. Sensory diets can also help an individual recover from sensory overload, if the preventive threshold has been crossed.

In order to create the most effective sensory diet, it is important to consider ALL of the senses, which includes proprioception, vestibular, tactile, visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, and interoception (more about these later in this post).

Creating a sensory diet for adults requires consideration of the lifestyle of an adult. The steps include; analysis and identification, strategizing, applying strategies, and monitoring effectiveness, to ensure individual needs are being met.

Even for adults, completing a sensory checklist, questionnaire, or survey is important. It will insure all sensory areas are identified, and all interests and preferences are considered when working on the development of a sensory diet for adults.

Use a sensory journal to track sensory processing

Another tool to assist in creating a sensory diet for adults, is keeping a sensory diary to help identify personal needs triggers, and dislikes.

A sensory diary, or a sensory journal, is much like a food journal might be used to figure out food triggers that impact headaches or skin issues.

Just like a journal to identify what food stimulated a physical change in the body, a sensory journal can be a helpful tool to identify sensory predictions of regulation, organization status, calmness, or ability to participate in every day activities.

For example, if you are a school field trip chaperone for your kindergartener’s fieldtrip to the musical instrument factory, you might be on heavy overload on auditory input in the way of loud noises, screeching children, a bumpy bus ride. This can put you into a state of headaches, difficulty focusing, disorganized thoughts, emotional state of dysregulation, and overall inability to function for the rest of the day.

When you look back at your sensory journal, you can see that all of the auditory, vestibular input was very chaotic, abrupt, and unexpected. When you see in your sensory journal that you had a migraine and couldn’t function for the rest of the day and the next day, then it makes sense.

Scheduling sensory diets for adults

Knowing these, will aid in the development of an individualized and successful sensory diet.

The scheduling of sensory diet activities is an important part of the sensory diet design when attempting to be proactive versus reactive. Scheduling the use of sensory strategies throughout the day will help keep the senses regulated in order to avoid sensory overload.

At times, this threshold gets crossed, sensory overload ensues, and the reactive stage happens. As an adult, this is bound to happen. The good news is, many preventive strategies can be utilized in the reactive stage as well.

If you are seeking a comprehensive resource that can help guide your pursuit of sensory diet creation for success, check out the Sensory Lifestyle Handbook from The OT Toolbox. It will provide you with a strategy guide to create sensory diets for adults as well as children, and incorporate these choices into a lifestyle of sensory success!

Adult sensory diet strategies You’re probably already doing

Adults often use sensory strategies to support their needs without even realizing they are doing so. The difference between adults and children is, adults tend to use appropriate strategies. They are not likely to be jumping on the furniture, screaming in a meeting, or licking the furniture.

Think about the adult who:

clicks a pen top frequently while working in the office
shakes their foot excessively while seated in the church pew
twirls their hair while listening or concentrating
snuggles under a heavy blanket when getting home
rocks back and forth while seated
has to have the TV or radio on in the background
chews gum all the time
exercises daily without fail

The OT Toolbox provides information regarding Adults with Sensory Processing Disorder if you want to further explore information on this topic.

effective sensory diet strategies for adults

Sensory diets for adults are similar to ones created for children. They have the same basic design, but some of the strategies are more adult-like in form, and the environment in which they are utilized differs.

Recognizing the triggers and stressors that cause sensory dysregulation, will help understand how and when to implement activities, before the point of stress. There are several different sensory products available for adults, as highlighted in this post on the OT Toolbox, that can help with regulation.

There areas proactive strategies available that can help also.

sensory activities for adults

These are activities that can easily be done within an adult setting, to meet targeted sensory needs. There are strategies for each of the senses, as this is key to a well rounded sensory diet.

Vestibular sensory activities for adults

Vestibular strategies involve movement for regulation. As the head changes positions, and the body moves, input is regulated in the inner ear. Vestibular input is the building block of all of the other systems.

Check out the vestibular activities we have here on the site. While these are movement-based play activities for kids, you can see how the different motions impact a state of calmness or alertness.

These vestibular sensory activities for adults work in the same way:

yoga
slow rocking in a chair
spinning in an office chair
sitting on a therapy ball
standing at a desk
windmill arm exercises
stretch breaks
brisk walks
dancing

Proprioception Sensory Activities for Adults

Proprioceptive strategies involve deep pressure, or heavy work for regulation, as the muscles, tendons, and joints are activated with increased intensity. Deep pressure often has a calming or organizing effect.

Here on the site we have many proprioception activities for kids, but the main concept is the same. Offering heavy work through the joints offers calming regulatory input.

Some proprioceptive sensory tools for adults include:

push-ups in any form – floor, chair, wall, or desk
yoga poses
mindfulness apps
Using some of the same breathing exercises that we use with kids
squeezing arms and legs
weighted lap pad or weighted blanket
heavy work- for adults this might be mowing the lawn, gardening, running, etc.
self-hugging or massage
resistance band exercises
therapy putty exercises

Tactile Sensory Strategies for Adults

Tactile strategies involve sensory touch stimulation for self-regulation, but it also involves tactile defensiveness too. While some adults crave this input, others respond negatively to touch. For this reason, a personalized sensory diet for adults is important.

Some tactile strategies for adults include:

Sensory brushing protocol (trained by qualified individual), bean bag tapping up and down the extremities
calm strips, sequin items, textured clothing, or some other form of texture
use of a stress ball
Fidget toys…go ahead and pick one up. You’ll see why the kids love them!
applying lotion to arms and legs
small massager to hands, arms, and legs
fidget tools or DIY fidget toys, such as squeeze balls, pop its, clickety gadgets, etc. Amazon (affiliate link:) has an entire fidget toy category for adults!
seeking the amount of personal space needed when near others. More or less may be needed depending on the needs of the individual

Olfactory sensory strategies for adults

Olfactory strategies involve using the sense of smell or input to the nose to either provide calm or alertness for self-regulation. Some adults have a scent sensitivity that is related to candles, certain oils (even cooking oils), fabric softeners, or allergens. An air freshener allergy is especially common when candles, room freshener sprays, or plug in scents are supposed to be calming and soothing, they are actually disorganizing for your sensory system.

Again, each person has their own individual needs and preferences, so a customized diet is helpful. Read about the olfactory sense here.

Consider essential oils and lotions with the following scents:

lavender, vanilla, orange, and chamomile to reduce tension or stress and/or promote relaxation
citrus, peppermint, cinnamon, and lemon to promote increased alertness and/or concentration
coffee beans for a neutral scent to balance other smells

try deep breathing strategies (inhale gently and deeply through the nose and exhale gently and slowly through the nose, repeat as often as needed)

Visual Strategies for adults

Visual strategies involve visual input for self-regulation.

changing lighting: a lamp light for reducing visual input vs. overhead fluorescent light for increased visual stimulation
dimmer switch for overhead lighting, to reduce or increase light
reduce or eliminate visual clutter in the setting in all planes, for increased calm
paint calming colors on walls for such as blue or neutral colors, and for increased alertness, think orange or red
use patterned rugs or curtains for alertness, or more neutral and solid colors for calming
work in an open space with views of action within the space for alertness, or go for a partition or desk divider to eliminate visual distractions, for a more calm and focused setting
take eye rest breaks when exposed to excessive amounts of computer light
consider a computer glare screen, blue blocking glasses, or colored screen filters to block computer lighting, and decrease visual input

Auditory sensory ideas for adults

Auditory strategies can reduce or eliminate noise for improved self-egulation in adults. Alternatively, they can add or increase the noise for a sensory seeker.

music and the type of music, can be alerting or calming
white noise can help provide a constant sound, making it predictable, or be bothersome to more sensitive people
earbuds, or ear plugs, can help block out some noise
noise-canceling headphones help block out as much noise as possible
running water from a fountain or nature sounds can feel calming
running fan or another humming-type device
foam earplugs to muffle sound without completely blocking it out

Gustatory Strategies for adult self-regulation

Gustatory strategies can help to alert or calm individuals, simply by the sensory input provided either through the texture or flavor of the food, or the mouth movement needed to consume it. When considering foods, try to go for healthy options when possible.

To increase alertness, try crunchy, salty, sweet, sour, spicy, hard to chew, or cold foods and/or drinks. To calm and organize, consider smooth, warm, and softly flavored foods, and/or drinks, as these tend to be more soothing.

Likewise, different foods and drinks can be calming. Sucking a thick drink through a straw can serve to provide proprioceptive input, being calming or alerting. Iced fluids are more alerting. Warm or hot liquids are generally more calming.

Consider these for increasing levels of alertness:

Crunchy: apple slices, carrot sticks, pretzels, nuts, tortilla chips, graham crackers, or rice cakes
Sour: lemon flavor, cranberries, sour candy, green apples, lemonade, and tart cherries
Sweet: yogurt, juices, frozen fruit juice pops, smoothies, grapes, oranges, and strawberries
Spicy: chips and salsa, cinnamon flavor, peppers, and pretzels with spicy mustard
Salty: baked potato chips, salty nuts, crackers, popcorn, and pickles
Chewy: bubble gum, gummy bears, dried fruit, jerky, fruit leather, bagels, or granola bars
Sucking: sucking a smoothie through a straw or sucking another warmer liquid through a water bottle nozzle
Cold: Iced water, ice cream, crushed ice, frozen berries, or frozen sherbet

Consider these for increasing calm:

Soft and/or softly flavored: cottage cheese, peanut butter, avocado, pudding, oatmeal, freshly baked cookies, or applesauce
Warm: Hot tea, warm cocoa, or soup

Interoception strategies for an adult sensory diet

Interoception strategies involve understanding and feeling what is going on inside of the body. Understanding how the body feels and how it reacts to certain sensory strategies can help to identify what is alerting and calming to the individual. Consider:

Deep breathing
Mindfulness activities
Yoga
Temperature control
Heavy work and alerting activities
Understanding of feelings and emotions

Note: Many of the sensory strategies listed here can be scheduled throughout the adult day, or within the moment of need. If seeking further sensory strategies that might help in the pursuit of sensory diet tools, take a look at the following sensory diet examples

Sensory Diet Example for Adults

When it comes to creating a sensory diet for the adult with sensory needs, there are aspects of sensory processing to be considered, in order to integrate sensory diet activities into the day to day functional activities.

How can you incorporate sensory input into everyday tasks?

Essentially, it is important to add movement and sensory options during activities like tedious tasks, waiting periods, or times when self-regulation is essential to the task at hand. Adding the sensory diet strategies correctly into tasks supports needs. The Sensory Lifestyle Handbook is a great resource to get your started. Can you get up and walk around while on the phone making an appointment? Can you take a minute to stretch and breathe deeply during traffic?

Here are examples of sensory diet for adults

Wake up, stretch at the side of the bed.
Start the day: yoga, exercise, cool drink of water with lemon
Next: bathroom/hot shower, vigorous towel to dry off, compression clothing
Breakfast: steamy coffee, warm milk, soothing foods
Transport to work or school: walk or ride to day’s events while listening to calming or alerting music, reading, journaling, listening to podcasts, etc.
Movement breaks during the day: use fidgets, get up and move throughout the day, eat a snack, chew gum, schedule standing breaks during the day, use a standing desk, consistent water drinking, listen to alerting music while working, deep breathing, mindfulness apps, silence notifications, use ear pods while working, etc.
Afternoon/Evening: go for a walk, read a book, drink tea, grocery shop or complete other tasks while listening to music, call a friend or loved one, listen to audiobooks, calm down yoga, or stretching at night
Prepare for next day: write out schedule or to-do lists, doodle, journal, mindfulness strategies, read, watch movies or television (electronics are visually alerting and should be limited close to bedtime)
Sleep: Use heavy blanket or weighted blanket, heavy pillows, cool room with fan, noise machine, ear plugs, deep breathing before bed, gratitude journal, camomile tea before bed

An adult sensory diet is heavily dependent on the lifestyle of the individual, sensory preferences, day to day tasks, and personal preferences. Using these suggestions, a sensory diet can be integrated right into the tasks that need to be accomplished each day.

The Takeaway to Creating adult sensory diets

An adult sensory diet is all about discovering what works for an individual, as each person’s needs are unique, and may change over time. It is important the adult get to know themselves and what they need, before making a plan (the sensory diet) to feed their body’s needs, making it simple nutrition for the brain and the body.

Proprioception Activities for Adults

Heavy work in the form of proprioceptive input supports regulation needs.

Here are some ideas that adults can use in calming and regulating input. Most of these ideas are exercise based so they are beneficial to the health as well!

Weightlifting
Resistance band exercises
Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges)
Yoga
Pilates
Swimming
Hiking
Rowing
Rock climbing
Cycling
Gardening
Carrying groceries
Mopping or vacuuming
Shoveling snow or digging
Using a weighted blanket
Deep breathing exercises
Stretching routines
Tai Chi
Manual labor tasks (e.g., chopping wood)
Dancing

What questions do you have about sensory diets for adults?

Regina Parsons-Allen is a school-based certified occupational therapy assistant. She has a pediatrics practice area of emphasis from the NBCOT. She graduated from the OTA program at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute in Hudson, North Carolina with an A.A.S degree in occupational therapy assistant. She has been practicing occupational therapy in the same school district for 20 years. She loves her children, husband, OT, working with children and teaching Sunday school. She is passionate about engaging, empowering, and enabling children to reach their maximum potential in ALL of their occupations as well assuring them that God loves them!

Sensory Paths and Sensory Stations

May 23, 2023September 28, 2022 by Victoria Wood OTR/L

A sensory walk, sensory station, and sensory path…what are these things and how do they support sensory processing needs? Here, we’re covering it all when it comes to using sensory paths or walks as a tool to support sensory needs. You’ll love the printable sensory station tools to add to your DIY sensory path!

sensory paths and sensory stations- what is the difference

What are Sensory Paths?

Let’s start with covering these terms.

A sensory path is a defined path, or walkway that directs users to complete a variety of sensory-motor tasks. The activities that make up a sensory path are typically gross motor tasks that incorporate proprioceptive input, vestibular input, and visual input. These sensory systems are powerful regulating tools to organize and this is why motor movements in a sensory path engage these systems.

A sensory path is typically a literal pathway on the ground; it may be painted onto a sidewalk or schoolyard. It may be stickers or images stuck to a floor or hallway in a school.

I know you’ve seen, or read about the (Amazon affiliate link) sensory pathways displayed on walls and floors of the school building. These are available commercially, or sensory paths can be made with paint and stickers.

Sensory paths can support self-regulation needs during transitions for children or scheduled sensory diets within a day.

What is a sensory walk?

A sensory walk is another term for a sensory path, however, some sensory walks can be nature-based, in the outdoors. Including flowers, grass, benches, and sounds of nature, a sensory walk can be very calming and regulating.

Other sensory walks are not nature-based. They are manufactured and can be also called sensory paths. Not only are the commercial versions of sensory paths expensive, but they are also highly colorful, and have multiple visual elements. These designs make for high visual noise (or visual clutter), making them ineffective for some children.

Some pathways can be highly dysregulating, as children attempt to decipher the visual clutter, and act on the path elements.

sensory stations and sensory station ideas for kids

What are sensory stations?

Sensory stations are an area set up with the intention of engaging children in exercises that help to stimulate and regulate their senses, and facilitate transitions within the day. When children need a brain break, or if you need some fun ideas to meet sensory strategy goals, these are the perfect tool.

Sensory motor stations provide a visual, coupled with a written directive, that can be followed by most anyone who needs to build their sensory strategy bank.

Sensory stations can be part of a calm down corner or they can be posted in a hallway as a transition tool. These can be a specific area or “station” that allows users to pause and participate in self-regulation strategies: heavy work, vestibular movement, or deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness techniques.

Below, we have free printable sensory stations that you can use in a sensory path, sensory walk, or sensory corner. Are you interested in some freebies that are effective and fun? You’re in the right place visiting this post. It‘s full of Sensory Stations that you can print and post to make a fresh approach to self-regulation, use in creating a sensory path of your own.

If you work with children who need less stimulation, and more simplified visual directions, these FREE sensory stations are a must. They are simple, providing both visual and written directives. Download the PDF and go.

sensory stations in the school setting

In the school setting, sensory station printables can be used for an entire classroom, a small group, or with individual children. A sensory path is often sought out for use in the school setting, but once that sensory walkway is set on the asphalt, hallway linoleum, or in a certain space, it’s there for good!

Using a sensory station that can be removed and replaced with different themes is nice in the school setting because they can be used over and over again in different locations.

The nice thing about using a sensory station over a sensory path is that they can be posted throughout the school setting:

Classrooms
Therapy room
Gymnasium
School hallways
Cafeteria
Library
Social worker’s office
Guidance counselor’s office
ESL classroom
Or in different locations, to help children rotate through the stations throughout the day or as a brain break.

They offer the movement breaks students need, when and where they need them, to gain the sensory benefits they crave.

Print the sensory walk stations and provide a simple training to your school staff, to make these activities available for any child who needs the support.

sensory stations in a clinic

In a private clinic, sensory walk stations can be used in a pathway to different areas of the building, or posted in different locations where specific needs are being addressed.

In our private clinic, we have them posted on the wall down the hallway that leads to the therapy gym. These visuals serve as a great transitional tool, that helps children get ready for a different therapeutic environment.

Sensory walks can be provided as a home program, so they can be used as part of a child’s sensory diet. Some parents can’t afford sensory equipment like a swing or trampoline, so whenever possible, offer strategies they can afford.

Parents will be grateful for structured home exercises that are fun and motivating for their child.

Teletherapy sensory stations

Since the pandemic, therapists are often providing services through teletherapy occupational therapy. Sensory walk stations can be used as a warm-up, or sensory input activity for kiddos who need that support while having an on-line session.

They can easily be printed and displayed to the child over the computer, or do a screen share using the resource PDF. These printables are versatile. Changing them for different seasons or holidays, keeps them new and motivating.

what kind of sensory station ideas are available?

What kind of sensory station ideas can you find on the OT Toolbox? Seasonal and holiday-themed stations are available, with being added.

Grab these sensory path printables below, print, laminate, or slide them into a sheet protector, and hang them up today!

If you are a regular visitor to the OT Toolbox, you would benefit from our members club. Never miss a post, product, or freebie! Here are all the details:

Want to add this resource to your therapy toolbox so you can help kids thrive? Enter your email into the form below to access this printable tool.

This resource is just one of the many tools available in The OT Toolbox Member’s Club. Each month, members get instant access to downloadable activities, handouts, worksheets, and printable tools to support development. Members can log into their dashboard and access all of our free downloads in one place. Plus, you’ll find exclusive materials and premium level materials.

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Let’s take a look at what exactly you will find on the site today:

Spring Sensory Walk Stations:

Frog hop walk
Spring flowers figure 8 deep breathing trace
Flower wall push-ups
Butterfly wings windmills
Bumblebee trace and breathe

Summer Sensory Walk Stations:

Dolphin leap
Bumblebees figure 8 deep breathing trace
Beach ball press wall push-ups
Crab squat summer sand squats
Hermit crab shell trace and breathe

Fall Sensory Walk Stations:

Squirrel leaps
Fall leaves figure 8 deep breathing trace
Leaves wall push-ups
Fall jumping jacks
Acorn trace and breathe

Winter Sensory Walk Stations:

Penguin waddle
Frosty wind and snow figure 8 deep breathing trace
Snowball hands wall push-ups
Ice skater one leg standing balance
Snowflake trace and breathe

Christmas Sensory Walk Stations:

Reindeer leap
Christmas lights figure 8 deep breathing trace
Santa sleigh push wall push-ups
Jingle bell jumping jacks
Christmas tree trace and breathe

If you are new to sensory processing difficulties, the Sensory Lifestyle Handbook is a great place to start.

One last thing to point out about these sensory walk stations, is that they not only provide the sensory input a child may need, but they also address core strength, motor planning, crossing midline, eye-hand coordination, and overall, fine and gross motor skills.

Problem Preschool Behaviors

February 5, 2024September 12, 2022 by Victoria Wood OTR/L

Today, we’re covering problem behavior in preschoolers, including behaviors that impact learning and development because of participation in preschool activities. Every preschooler, family, and classroom is different. With the uniqueness embedded into an Early Childhood Classroom, it isn’t uncommon for teachers to have some run-ins with concerning behavior. This blog will teach you the five steps to creating a behavior plan for managing preschool behaviors, which encourages positive interactions with parents and children.

Problem behaviors in preschool and what's the behavior trigger for preschoolers

The uniqueness of every family and child plays a role in each preschool classroom. Every teacher has expectations. All classrooms are set up differently, and the environment can change, based on the activities and people who are present. Understanding how to support children and their families, while teaching children academic, social, and emotional skills, can be daunting for preschool teachers.

examples of challenging preschool behaviors

Some of examples of challenging behaviors in preschoolers include:

Hitting, scratching, slapping, grabbing
Biting, spitting, chewing on non food items, licking
Kicking others
Bolting out of the classroom or other setting
Refusing to work, refusal to cooperate, talking back
Yelling, screaming, crying
Tantrums – Check out this post on the OT Toolbox to better understand meltdown vs. tantrum behavior

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do any of these behaviors sound familiar?

What causes challenging behaviors in preschool?

Before covering strategies to address behaviors that impact learning and the development of skills, it is important to understand why we may see challenging behaviors in the preschool setting.

Based on these Kindergarten readiness standards of emotional readiness, 5-6 year old children are expected to know how to calm down, listen to teachers, follow directions, take turns with peers (this is a great resource on turn taking), and transition between activities throughout the school day.

When a child enters preschool, they typically haven’t had much experience with some of these tasks. Some young children adapt well to the social and emotional expectations of a large group situation, while other children need extra support.

Behavior Triggers

There can be a multitude of reasons why problem behaviors occur in the preschool setting. Just some of the behavior triggers that lead to common issues in the preschool setting include these causes:

Having a new routine (potty training, time change, or differing work schedules of parents are some examples) throws off the child’s ability to self regulate
Experiencing a change in home environment (a new baby added to the family, moving to a new home, or other home changes)
Not getting enough sleep (check out this article on sleep hygiene)
Too much screen time
Developmental changes in the preschool age range

Breaking these underlying areas down, it is possible to see three common factors that may trigger a behavioral response between the ages of 3-5 years.

As a related read, check out our fine motor activities for preschoolers as a way to support development during the yearly childhood stage.

Common causes of preschool behaviors

There are three common causes behind preschool behaviors: basic needs need met, environmental issues, or the behaviors of others (peers). Let’s explore each of these common causes of preschool behaviors.

Three common triggers of preschool behavior outbursts:

Basic needs (hunger, sleep, thirst, temperature) Is the child hungry, tired or overwhelmed? Is it close to snack time or nap time? Did the child drink enough water while they were playing outside? Basic needs affect everyone differently. Children tend to be sensitive to bodily changes. Medical issues may affect basic needs. Make sure to be in contact with parents about any sort of change in a child’s health. This includes toileting challenges (constipation), new medications they may have been given, and allergy concerns.
Environment (changes to routine of the environment, home situation, transportation, changes to the classroom environment: lights, sounds, smells, temperature, distractions, unexpected changes).
Behavior of others (behavior of peers, behaviors and actions of adults, parents, caregivers, educators, and behaviors of others in the classroom: other children making noise, someone provoking them, someone else having a tantrum). These friendship activities for preschool can help with this area of social emotional learning.

Triggers of challenging behavior in the preschool age range can be compounded by several of these considerations occurring at one time. Additionally, preschoolers can struggle with communication to let others know what is happening in their world.

How to support challenging preschool behaviors

Children learn best from consistency. This pertains to social and emotional expectations, both at home and in the classroom.

Talking to families about concerns regarding their child’s behavior, is one of the hardest conversations that a teacher can have.

By creating a 5 step behavior plan with the family, educators can support children, while also demonstrating to families that they are there to help by teaching their child how to interact and engage with their peers.

5 Step Behavior Plan for Preschoolers

Here are the 5 steps to complete when creating a behavior plan for a child. Going through these steps, you’ll see that addressing emotional regulation, getting to the root of underlying causes and considerations, creating an age-appropriate plan, including play-based strategies or tools to support development in these areas.

As always, the concept of the “iceberg” of underlying considerations is upheld.

1. Determine the cause of the behavior

There are many different causes of a child’s behavior. Parents and teachers can track the behavior of a child, gathering data using an ABC chart. This refers to antecedent (what happened before the behavior started), behavior (what that child did), and the consequence (how did the child and adult respond to the behavior.)

When observing children to understand the cause of their behavior, make sure to pay close attention to the common behavior triggers addressed and listed above. Getting clear on what’s causing the visible behavior is essential.

*Keep track of children that are known to have sensory sensitivities (Here are some questions to ask yourself when monitoring the environment:

Have you changed anything in the room?
Has the weather been different (humid, rain, snow, extra cold or hot)?
Is it really bright and sunny, or gloomy and foggy?
Does the child have any sensory sensitivities such as clothing, sounds, being touched?
Have you changed the classroom routine?
Has the child touched or engaged in a sensory rich experience they may not have liked (finger-paint, sensory bin, slime, play dough)?
Is the classroom too loud or very busy?
Check if the child is wearing something new/uncomfortable (do their shoes fit? Is there a scratchy tag on their clothes? Is their diaper too tight?)
Here is a great post on working with children with sensory differences.

2. Talk to parents and caregivers

Once you have narrowed down the cause of the behavior, make a plan to meet with the child’s caregivers (parents, grandparents, daycare staff) to go over your findings. Include any member of their team who spends a great amount of time with this child.

Documented evidence and observations from the ABC chart will give you concrete examples of what is happening, and why.

When starting the conversation with the family, begin by describing the child’s strengths. Share their child’s favorite activity to do at school, who their friends are, and one great thing they did that week.

Next, show the family the ABC chart, explain what behaviors you want to change, and what new behaviors you would like the child to do instead.

Encourage the family and other caregivers to share their observations of the child at home, and out in the community.

3. Create goals to improve preschool behaviors

After sharing what you are going to work on with their child, include the team in goal setting, allowing caregivers to share what they would like their child to do. As you write these goal, phrase the goals in a positive way, showing what you expect from the child.

As with all goals, make sure they are measurable and attainable. For goal setting tips, check out this post on using a goal ladder.

Make an appointment for a follow up meeting with the family, so you can check in on how the child is doing at home, at school, and out in the community.

For example:

Jackie will use her words when she wants to use a toy 80% of the time.
Mark will participate in circle time for 10 minutes with supports such as breaks, sensory fidgets, alternative seating without leaving the area.
Trent will transition from outside to inside time on her own without maladaptive behaviors or needing to have physical support.

Next, it’s time to come up with a way to support the child in meeting these goals.

4. Establish interventions for challenging preschool behaviors

As you determine the interventions to be used at school, share them with the family, encouraging them to use the same interventions at home and in the community.

Children thrive on consistency. When receiving the same messages and intervention techniques at home and school, children will learn the behavior faster. They will learn to carry over the behaviors from one setting to the next.

Three common interventions to include in a preschool behavior plan:

Create a calm down corner with tools for emotional regulation- Children tend to become overwhelmed, losing control of their emotions, when they don’t have a positive way to calm down. Soothing Sammy teaches children how to calm down, using visual and tactile tools, while supporting a positive image of feelings. As children learn how to manage their feelings, they are able to communicate and problem solve in different situations.
Sensory diet for the classroom – When children become frustrated due to sensory difference, a sensory diet for the classroom and home works wonders, by giving children the tools to cope with their struggle. This list, created by occupational therapists, includes practical strategies easily implemented in any preschool classroom.
Utilize Visual and Auditory Cues for Transitions- Children who are overwhelmed or frustrated, don’t always hear what others are saying to them. These transitions for children can be a challenge. The use of visual schedules, visual prompts, and auditory cues remind children what is expected of them, when they aren’t able to process what is said. Using visual tools such as a picture schedule, first/then chart, or picture exchange cards (PEC), while keeping directions clear and simple can help. Adding an auditory prompt, such as a bell or clapping, to signify it is time to clean up, gives children multisensory ways to receive a direction.
Try calm down toys based on the child’s interests.

Check out this visual cue resource for use in daily activities, sensory diets, PECs, and visual supports.

5. Preschool Behavior Plan Follow through

When following through with a preschool behavior plan, the next steps are important. This follow through looks like many things.

Talking with parents and caregivers, make sure that you follow up with a second meeting to discuss the child’s progress. This is important, as it gives the parents the ability to weigh in on the next steps, the teachers to provide parents with constructive feedback of how their child is doing, and an opportunity to discuss a referral to specialists if needed.

Some of the most common specialist referrals are:

Audiologist for a hearing evaluation
Occupational therapist for sensory, behavior, motor skill concerns
Speech therapist for language delays
Early Intervention for developmental delays
Behavior therapist for more intensive behavior needs
Pediatrician for concerns about medically based delays (including autism, ADHD, nutrition, sleep, or gastrointestinal issues)
Note: teachers need to be cautious when suggesting referrals to other professionals, offering possible diagnoses, or alarming caregivers.

check out these other great resources from the OT Toolbox to support behavior

Creating a behavior plan helps parents and teachers work together regarding preschool behaviors. Providing an environment that includes consistency, open communication, and sensory supports, will give every child a supportive environment they need to thrive. This five part behavior plan blueprint includes strategy ideas, goal creation tips and resources for behavior tracking. A behavior plan is an essential component of a healthy classroom.

Jeana Kinne is a veteran preschool teacher and director. She has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field. Her Bachelors Degree is in Child Development and her Masters Degree is in Early Childhood Education. She has spent over 10 years as a coach, working with Parents and Preschool Teachers, and another 10 years working with infants and toddlers with special needs. She is also the author of the “Sammy the Golden Dog” series, teaching children important skills through play.

School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise- A Stress Relaxation Tool

February 27, 2023September 3, 2022 by Colleen Beck OTR/L

School bus deep breathing exercise for stress relaxation on the bus

Whether you are needing a bus stop activity to keep the kids calm and collected near a busy street or a sensory diet activity for the rides to school on the bus, this school bus deep breathing exercise fits the bill. The school bus setting is unpredictable for sensory kids and this breathing activity is an easy stress relaxation tool that kids can add to their toolbox of coping strategies.

Time for school buses, school supplies, backpacks, new teachers, new friends, and new stressors. While school can be fun and educational, it can also be a time of stress and overwhelm. Teaching self regulation is important for school success. Students and teachers love these Deep Breathing Exercises.

Just in time for back to school, the OT Toolbox has a great new School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise page to share. AND, it includes a school bus coloring page, too!

Stress Relaxation

One benefit of this sensory school bus strategy is the use in stress relaxation strategies in response to fight, flight, freeze, and other autonomic responses.

What do we mean by stress relaxation?

First, let’s cover how this works. When faced with an unfamiliar, unwanted, or overwhelming challenge, the central nervous system employs its fight, flight, or freeze response. This is an automatic brain stem response to input. Because everyone’s central nervous system is different, people respond differently to input. Some people startle easily, are afraid of bugs, don’t tolerate loud noise or crowds, and are very sensitive.

Others take life in stride, nothing tends to bother them.

While this School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise is targeted for those who need to slow their central nervous system, everyone can benefit from taking a break once in a while to reset. When a body is in its fight, flight, or freeze mode, the central nervous system takes over.

The following may be symptoms of this autonomic response:

The heart rate may increase
Increased breathing rate
Elevated heart rate/blood pressure/temperature
Sweating
Hiccups
Excessive emotional outbursts
Decreased cognitive skills as all energy goes into protecting the body
Digestive issues

Because of this autonomic or automatic response to stimuli, people can make a conscious effort to combat these symptoms. One quick and easy way to slow down heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and emotional outbursts is by using deep breathing exercises to relax the stress response.

Education on self regulation is an important step of sensory based treatment. Teaching a person to understand their body, triggers, and response to input will help them choose an appropriate treatment method, and a perfect time to use it.

The use of stress relaxation strategies is a work in progress, and takes a long time to achieve self regulation. Adults as well as children need help and reminders along the way when they are feeling out of control.

We have other fun and motivating breathing exercises for kids in the school setting on the site, too. These include:

School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise

The OT Toolbox is full of Breathing Exercise Worksheets. The newest one, The School Bus, comes at a great time of year. It’s the perfect tool to use in stress responses on the school bus. Add this sensory strategy in school environment to the bus environment which can be unpredictable, full of loud sounds, vibration and unpredictable movements, and an opportunity for sensory overload.

Use the school bus sensory strategy to support different needs:

A sensory diet for the school bus
Waiting for the bus activity
Stress response to a simulating school bus environment

Have learners place their finger on a white dot. Instruct them to breathe in while sliding their finger across the arrow. On the next arrow, they are instructed to breathe out. Learners can go around the bus as many times as it takes for them to feel more in control of their body.

We’ve also included a deep breathing coloring page, in this set, too. Use it to work on coloring skills and pull in other areas of development such as fine motor skills and visual motor skills. Kids can then use the deep breathing coloring page as a coping strategy tool they have created and have ownership over.

How does this work?

These Deep Breathing Exercises are more than just working on breathing. Think about the following sensory systems that are activated using this free printable:

Deep breathing slows the heart rate
Visualizing the bus creates a distraction, or changes the learner’s focus
Listening to the sound of deep breathing can help tune out other stimuli
Counting breaths or holding for a number of seconds also creates a shift in focus
Themed breathing opens a door to change the subject and talk about the picture
Slowing the body down during the exercise, helps with regulation
Following a rhythm is organizing to the central nervous system

How to use the School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise Worksheet

Strategies such as breathing exercises are not as easy as handing your learner a piece of paper. There is a lot of teaching, education, practice, and trial/error that goes into any of these treatment methods.

Initiate the activity BEFORE total meltdown or shut down occurs. Once shut down occurs, it may not be easy for your learner to tolerate, listen, or sit and focus on this task
Use these exercises as part of your prescribed sensory diet, proving them at regular predictable intervals during the day, such as before/after transitions. We cover transitions for children extensively in another blog post.
Learner does not have to sit in a chair to work on deep breathing. They may lay on the floor, do yoga poses, climb under a blanket, sit in a rocker, or a comfy beanbag
If this exercise does not work for your learner, either try again at a different time, or move onto another strategy. The OT Toolbox is full of ideas for self regulation

Thematic lesson or treatment planning is motivating for students, and a way for educators to organize their daily teaching. Back to school is a popular theme using school buses, school tools, and apples to get to know your students. It is a great segue into the fall theme.

Other Back to School Activities from the OT Toolbox:

Free printable stress relaxation for the school bus

Want to add this printable stress relaxation tool to your therapy toolbox? Enter your email address into the form below.

This item is also available inside the Member’s Club. Members can log into their account and access the tool by heading to Mindfulness Tools. Grab this stress relaxation exercise as well as others including unicorn deep breathing, pencil deep breathing, rainbow breathing, and more.

By Audience

By Category

Christmas Mindfulness

Christmas Mindfulness Activity

Holiday Mindfulness

Christmas COping Tools

Christmas Mindfulness

More Christmas Mindfulness Strategies

Mindful Christmas

Free printable Christmas Mindfulness Printable

Get a Christmas Tree Mindfulness Coloring Page

Beach Ball Cushion

occupational therapy seat cushion

Cheap Sensory Seat Cushion

Back-to-School Sensory Activities

Why Use Back-to-School Sensory Activities?

Back-to-School Sensory Ideas

Sensory Activities for Back to School

Free Classroom Sensory Strategies Toolkit

Sensory Strategies for Family Road Trips

Oral motor sensory break for road trips

How To make a Road Trip Sensory Snack

More Sensory Strategies for Road Trips

Forest Sensory Path

How does the FOrest sensory path work?

How to use the Forest Sensory Paths?

sensory paths for elementary schools

Free Printable Forest Sensory Path

Free Forest Printable Sensory Path

How do you create a sensory diet for adults?

Scheduling sensory diets for adults

Adult sensory diet strategies You’re probably already doing

effective sensory diet strategies for adults

sensory activities for adults

Vestibular sensory activities for adults

Proprioception Sensory Activities for Adults

Tactile Sensory Strategies for Adults

Olfactory sensory strategies for adults

Visual Strategies for adults

Auditory sensory ideas for adults

Gustatory Strategies for adult self-regulation

Interoception strategies for an adult sensory diet

Sensory Diet Example for Adults

The Takeaway to Creating adult sensory diets

Proprioception Activities for Adults

What are Sensory Paths?

What is a sensory walk?

What are sensory stations?

sensory stations in the school setting

sensory stations in a clinic

Teletherapy sensory stations

what kind of sensory station ideas are available?

examples of challenging preschool behaviors

What causes challenging behaviors in preschool?

Behavior Triggers

Common causes of preschool behaviors

How to support challenging preschool behaviors

5 Step Behavior Plan for Preschoolers

1. Determine the cause of the behavior

2. Talk to parents and caregivers

3. Create goals to improve preschool behaviors

4. Establish interventions for challenging preschool behaviors

5. Preschool Behavior Plan Follow through

check out these other great resources from the OT Toolbox to support behavior

Stress Relaxation

School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise

How to use the School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise Worksheet

Free printable stress relaxation for the school bus

FREE School Bus Deep Breathing Exercise