Activities for Calming Sensory Overload and Promoting Quiet Time
Activities for Calming Sensory Overload and Promoting Quiet Time
Judy Benz Duncan, Occupational Therapist
When a child’s sensory system becomes over-stimulated or they are having difficulty handling and adequately interpreting the sensory information, having a plan to call on, using calming, quiet time activities may help the child manage the situation more comfortably.
When sensory input becomes too overwhelming, it is natural to try and leave the situation, or display behaviors that show the stress and often pain being felt by the overload. Having a Sensory Calming Box or Quiet Time Box at the ready can help relieve some of the dramatic effects sensory overload can have on the child.
Sensory overload is not the same as a tantrum which is usually child controlled and often stops when the child gets what they want. A child in sensory overload is reacting to stimulation or something in their surroundings that are not generally in their control.
Regular scheduling of quiet time and periods of calm activities when NOT in sensory overload can help during times of high stress, anxiety and over-stimulation. Teaching the child how to calm themselves, and having items on hand in case they are needed, are a great way to “practice” calming behaviors and give the child experience to call upon to help them manage in a variety of situations.
Activities for Calming Sensory Overload
Provided by TheraPlay4Kids.com
Activities for Calming Sensory Overload - Provided by TheraPlay4Kids.com
Any of these activities may help. You may need to try them all to find one or several that will work with your child. What works in one situation may not work in another. It takes time and patience but the end result is in helping the child manage, relax, and calm themselves.
It is important to remember to stay calm yourself so that you do not become part of the sensory overload in your attempts to calm the child.
Active links to where you may find some of the items and activities listed are found throughout the text ideas that follow.
Click and go if you are interested in that item and would like more information.
o Sitting under a large, heavy blanket (make sure they can breathe ok and that airflow not restricted)
o Crawling under and between large, heavy pillows or cushions to make a “kid sandwich,” push down on top of cushions to torso to give extra weight as needed (keep airway clear)
o Giving whole body bear hugs (if they will allow)
o Use of an indoor therapy swing or snuggle swing
o Crawling into a snuggle space (a small area between furniture, a small pop tent, the closet, etc., with low lighting, pillows and soft throws, a bean bag chair, etc). Crawl in to the space if they allow, or just offer your hand on their back if that is all they can handle)
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o Give deep pressure, whole hand, slow, rhythmic massages to feet, legs, arms, back, or head, as they tolerate. Use of hand held non-electric massagers. They may allow to one area but not another.
o Hold and rock in slow steady motion (on the floor or in a rocking chair, use of a “sensory squeezie seat,” or even laying over or on a large therapy ball)
o “Smooshing” or deep slow squeezes to the hands, and sometimes to the mouth/chin area works
o Helping to “tuck into a ball” with head down, knees up
o Use of squishable items like sensory/stress balls, putty, foam ball, texture balls, etc.
o Use of toy spinners and other age appropriate movement toys
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o Putting on a heavy coat, weighted vests, use of weighted sensory pads or blankets (watch weather to prevent over-heating)
o Whole body squeezes, rocking, or hugging of a large therapy ball
o Push heavy or weighed down chairs or other small furniture pieces, like an ottoman, across the room
o Use of undergarments, such as tight fitting tag-free sports shirts made to help regulate body temperature while keeping you dry
o Child safe chewable items for those children who like to chew and who do experience calming from this activity
o Make a quiet space where the child can go when needed (giving them some control as well), and using this specific spot for only quiet time activities
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o Roll your child up from shoulders to their feet in an exercise mat or large beach towel. Stay close to “unroll” if they are not able to tolerate this.
o Make a calm environment by dimming the room lights, putting on slow rhythmic music, watching rope lights, floor tube lights, twinkle lights, fairy lights, or other non-heat producing light strings or boxes, playing with/ stepping on light-up sensory floor tiles
o Use of headphones with or without music
o Use of Sensory Discovery Bottles (See directions on how to make your own!)
o Stuffed animals (one or a box of them) to hug or hold
o Box of fabric strips to feel and sort through
o Small plastic or blowup pool filled with child safe plastic balls, cut up pool noodles, fuzzy fabric pieces, etc. to roll or crawl around in
o Favorite story book or favorite toy to read, feel, play with
o Sensory balls (can make several at home and take with you wherever you go) made with helium quality balloons filled with flour, dry rice, large marbles. Do not use with children who like to put things in their mouth and bite or chew. Due to the choking hazard always provide supervision and never give to children with pica or who may bite them – provide alternate child safe chewable items and toys instead.
Click for BLOG on “Is It Sensory Overload Meltdown or Tantrum?
Visit the TheraPlay4Kids SENSORY BLOG SPOT for more information, ideas, and activities
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Disclaimer Note: Before beginning any new program, activity, exercise, or make changes, be sure to consult with your child’s doctor, and service providers for individualized guidance, direction, and supervision. These ideas and suggestions presented on TheraPlay4Kids are meant to help support and promote, however, since each child, diagnosis, medical status, and situation is different, one should seek help and approval from your child’s providers in order to achieve the best outcomes and ultimate safety for all involved. Please make use of this site and all the information presented at your own discretion for the safety and well-being of all involved.
