(FREE PRINTABLE) SENSORY OBSTACLE COURSE FOR HOME

Lockdown #2 for Sydney and there are some lessons learnt from others who have been at home for longer than we have. 

Social and emotional well being is of utmost importance.  Staying connected, using tools for regulation and self-care... then being able to help our children do the same!

The importance of movement, changing body positions and flexible seating is always at the forefront for occupational therapists.  Even without lockdown, the nature of our society is that screen time is pulling all of us but especially our children to a sedentary lifestyle.   Joining organised sport is a solution for some.  Joining a gym an option for others.  Meeting friends at a park, going for regular walks or bike rides are all fantastic ways to encourage children and adults to get moving. 

Movement is important for gross motor skill development as well as a tool for regulation. Gross motor skills can include 
things like crawling, jumping, skipping and hopping. Regulation is an important skill for children to develop.  Occupational 
therapists use movement to help with regulation of the body and mind, which can in turn help with a child's attention and alertness.  This sensory approach to movement considers how the head is position and moving (forward/backward/spinning/upside down).  It also considers how the child may be developing body awareness with feedback to the muscles, skins and joints as they stretch or bear weight.  

Children benefit from moving their bodies incidentally throughout their day and they may also benefit from intentional activities to gain extra movement.  Obstacle courses at home can be a fun way to incorporate movemtn.  You can use things you have at home to personalize it to your space and create obstacles.  This might include your stairs, furniture (chairs, tables, cabinets), toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, pantry items or soft furnishings (eg. blankets, pillows).  You can also incorporate items you may have such as a trampoline, skipping rope, bike, scooter etc. 

Watch our course that we created in our home using a few of the obstacle course cards - Link: https://youtu.be/AXb9zBs6OBk

YES PLEASE TO THE FREE PRINTABLE!

The obstacle course printable allows you to create an obstacle course that suits your child and your environment.  Do not use all the cards in one course.  There are 41 activities that you can choose from.  You could aso reprint cards if you want to double up on an activity within the one obstacle course. Work with a few to begin with and involve your child in the creation of the course.  Enocurage a range of movement activities so the body is positioned and moves in different ways.  Use the cards to change it up and keep it fresh. 

An obstacle course may be a way to incorporate extra movement just from moving from one room to another. Perhaps you can leave one in the hallway between bedrooms or set up a course around the dining room table as an activity before dinner time.  Consider how this extra movement can be incorporated into your child's routine. 

Download your FREE OBSTACLE COURSE @ HOME printable HERE! 

Read more 

• Flexible seating at home . 
• DIY Sensory Motor Path
• Help me identify my sensory activities (checklist)
• Social Emotional Competencies and Regulation Resource Bundle
• Sensory Impementation Bundle.

I can't wait to see the obstacle courses that you create at home!  Tag @yourkidsot if you want to share your course at home with me. 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote recommended products. Your Kids OT receives a small commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details. ​​​
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