Sensory Obstacle Course for Home (FREE)
Movement is important for gross motor skill development as well as a tool for regulation. Gross motor skills caninclude 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 positioned and moving (forward/backward/spinning/upside down). It also considers how the child may be developing body awareness with feedback to the muscles, skin 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. Obtsacle courses at home can be a fun way to incorporate movement. You can use things you have at home to personalize it to your space and create the obstacles. This might include stairs, furniture (chairs, tables, cabinets), toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, pantry items or soft furnishings (blankets, pillows). You can also incorporate items you may have such as a trampoline, skipping rope, bike, etc.
The following obstacle course cards allow you to create an obstacle course that suits your child and your environment. Do not use all of the cards in one course. Work with a few to begin with and involve your child in the creation of the course. Encourage a range of movement activities so the body is positioned and moves in different ways.
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