Sensory diets are a set of activities designed to provide children with the sensory input they need to stay focused, calm, and organized throughout the day. For children with sensory processing issues, these needs are even more intense, and without the right sensory input, they may struggle with behavior, alertness, and self-control. This article explores sensory diets, why they are important, and provides examples to incorporate into a toddler's daily routine.
Understanding Sensory Diets
A sensory diet is a personalized plan of sensory activities designed to help children with sensory processing issues stay focused, calm, and organized throughout the day. These activities are tailored to meet each child’s specific needs, providing the right type and amount of sensory stimulation. Just like a nutritional diet provides essential nutrients for the body, a sensory diet offers necessary sensory input that helps children function at their best. An occupational therapist (OT) usually designs it.
The Importance of Sensory Diets
Children with sensory processing issues might seek out or avoid sensory input, affecting their ability to focus, learn, and interact with others. A sensory diet provides the right balance of activities to help regulate the sensory system, leading to improved attention, behavior, and emotional regulation.
Enhances Learning
A well-regulated sensory system is essential for learning. Incorporating a sensory diet into your child’s daily routine can make a difference in their ability to navigate their sensory world.
Sensory Input and Sensory Systems
The term “sensory input” refers to experiences that stimulate the various sensory systems of our bodies. Some people with sensory processing issues demonstrate behaviors indicating they need more input to their sensory systems.
Read also: Regulation Through Sensory Input
Sensory systems include:
- Proprioceptive system: This is one of our movement senses and contributes to coordination and body awareness. Kids who seek out rough play and jumping or crashing may need more input into this system.
- Vestibular system: This is our other movement sense, related to balance and how we perceive our body’s orientation in space. Some kids need constant movement and can’t sit still. Others appear sluggish or lethargic.
- Tactile input: This involves the sense of touch. Kids who constantly touch and fidget with objects or who are always touching others may need more tactile input.
- Auditory input: Sensory experiences that involve sound. Kids constantly humming, yelling, and making other noises may need more auditory input than other children.
- Visual input: Kids who require more visual input may look closely at objects or seek out moving or spinning objects. They may have difficulty focusing on information presented visually.
- Olfactory and oral sensory systems: These two systems are how we process smell and taste. When kids seek input into these systems, they may lick or smell objects like crayons or toys. Chewing also provides proprioceptive input, so kids may bite or chew on objects (think pencils or shirt collars).
Keep in mind that while some kids with sensory processing issues need more sensory input in one or more of these areas, other kids may be hypersensitive to certain types of sensory experiences and may require less input. They may also require strategies to prevent negative reactions to these experiences.
Examples of Sensory Diet Activities
Here are some fantastic sensory diet examples to include in your child’s daily routine:
- Swinging: Swinging provides excellent vestibular input, which helps with balance and coordination. Set up a swing in your backyard or visit a local park. Encourage your child to swing back and forth, side to side, and in circular motions. The rhythmic movement can be very calming and help your child regulate their sensory system. For an added challenge, try having your child reach for objects or toss a ball while swinging.
- Jumping on a trampoline: Jumping on a trampoline is fun and offers significant proprioceptive input, which can help your child feel more organized and grounded. If you have a small trampoline at home, supervise your child as they jump, and join the fun! This activity can be an excellent way for your child to burn off excess energy and improve their balance and coordination.
- Weighted blankets: Weighted blankets provide deep pressure input, which can be incredibly soothing and help with relaxation and sleep. Choose a blanket that is about 10% of your child’s body weight. Use it during quiet times, like reading a book or watching a movie, or as a part of the bedtime routine. The gentle pressure can help your child feel more secure and calm.
- Therapy ball: A therapy ball is a versatile tool for providing both vestibular and proprioceptive input. Have your child sit on the ball and bounce gently, roll back and forth, or lie on their tummy and roll the ball under their body. These activities can help improve body awareness and coordination while also being a lot of fun.
- Obstacle course: Creating an obstacle course is a great way to provide various sensory inputs. Use pillows, chairs, tunnels, and other household items to create a path for your child to navigate. Crawling under tables, jumping over cushions, and balancing on a narrow surface can help with motor planning, coordination, and sensory integration.
- Sensory bins: Fill bins with rice, beans, sand, or other textured materials, and hide small toys or objects for your child to find. This activity provides rich tactile stimulation and can help with fine motor skills. Encourage your child to use their hands to explore the different textures and search for hidden treasures.
- Play dough: Kneading, rolling, and shaping play dough can be calming and tactile-rich. Provide your child with various tools, such as rolling pins, cookie cutters, and plastic knives to enhance the experience. The resistance of the dough offers proprioceptive input that can help regulate their sensory system.
- Water play: Playing with water can be very soothing and engaging for children. Set up a water table or use a large container filled with water and add toys like cups, spoons, and small boats. Encourage your child to pour, splash, and explore the water.
- Music: Music can provide auditory input that helps regulate mood and focus. Create a playlist of your child’s favorite calming or rhythmic songs and play it during quiet times or transitions. Encourage your child to dance, sing along, or simply listen and relax. Music can be a powerful tool for emotional regulation.
- Chewing: Chewing gum or crunchy snacks like carrots, apples, or pretzels can offer oral sensory input that can be calming for some children. Keep these items handy when your child needs to focus or calm down. The act of chewing can provide proprioceptive input to the jaw and help with self-regulation.
- Hugs: Giving your child firm, deep-pressure hugs can help them feel secure and grounded.
- Jumping jacks: A quick round of jumping jacks can provide proprioceptive input and help with energy regulation. Try incorporating jumping jacks into your child’s daily routine, such as during homework breaks or before starting a new activity.
- Fidget toys: Small fidget toys can help children focus by providing constant, subtle sensory input. Items like stress balls, fidget spinners, or textured keychains can be kept in a backpack or pocket for easy access.
- Sensory brush: A sensory brush on the skin can provide tactile input and help with sensory regulation.
- Balance board: Standing on a balance board can enhance vestibular input and improve balance. Have your child practice standing on the board, rocking back and forth, or even trying simple games like tossing a ball while balancing.
- Nature walks: Walking in nature provides a variety of sensory inputs from different environments and can be very calming. Take your child on a walk through a park, forest, or even just around the neighborhood. Encourage them to notice different sights, sounds, and smells.
- Visual timers: Using visual timers can help children understand time and transitions, providing visual sensory input. Choose timers with clear visual cues, such as sand timers or digital timers with countdown displays.
- Pleasant scents: Pleasant scents like lavender can provide olfactory input that may help with relaxation. Use essential oils or scented candles to create a calming environment.
- Stretching exercises: Simple stretching exercises can provide proprioceptive input and help with body awareness. Create a stretching routine that includes movements like reaching for the sky, touching toes, and gentle yoga poses.
- Bubbles: Blowing and popping bubbles can be a fun way to provide visual and tactile input. Use a bubble wand or bubble machine and encourage your child to chase and pop the bubbles.
Creating an Effective Sensory Diet
Effective sensory diets are tailored to a child’s needs and have elements that can be easily incorporated into a child’s routine.
Tailoring Activities
Sensory diet activities are most effective when integrated into everyday life, including play and daily tasks. Like daily nutrition, sensory diet activities ensure that your child has their daily “fix” of sensory input their brain needs to function well.
Read also: Autism and Sensory Needs
Integration into Daily Life
Sensory diet activities are most effective when integrated into everyday life, including play and daily tasks.
Monitoring and Adjusting
Tracking behavior changes after sensory activities is crucial. Observing your child before and after activities is key to effectively fitting the activities into your child’s routine.
Considering the Environment
When adapting sensory diet activities for different environments-whether at home, school, or therapy-it’s important to consider the sensory demands and context of each setting.
Visual Schedules
Using a visual schedule can be incredibly helpful for children who prefer predictability.
Examples of Sensory Diets
Below are two examples of sensory diets:
Read also: Sensory Diet for Adults and Children
These sample sensory diets can help explore different types of sensory input with kids while noting their responses.
Sensory Tools and Products
An occupational therapist may recommend several sensory products to help kids meet their sensory needs. Some of these items include:
- Sensory sock: This is a stretchy sack a child can fit inside. It provides calming, deep pressure and movement against resistance.
- Seamless socks: These socks have no bumps or seams inside. They can be a nice option for kids who are sensitive to the feeling of their clothes.
- Weighted yoga balls: These are good tools for kids who seek out movement. They can sit on it or use it to bounce or roll on during sensory breaks.
- Balance board: Kids who seek out movement input can use a balance board to rock from side to side and play with balance.
- Weighted vest: Subtle deep pressure and resistive input to a child’s torso can be calming for them. A weighted vest can accomplish this.
- Weighted blanket: Weighted blankets can provide deep pressure to the entire body. Like weighted vests, kids can use them as a calming sensory strategy.
- Crash pad: Jumping, rolling, or crawling on a crash pad can provide tactile and proprioceptive input for kids who seek out rough play.
Several popular retailers offer a range of sensory toys and tools and other therapeutic products.
Additional Tips for Implementing a Sensory Diet
- Incorporate sensory diet activities at home. If space in your home is limited and therapeutic equipment is minimal, work with your therapist to get creative. Don’t have a trampoline? Jump on the bed for one minute before making it every morning.
- Track your child’s regulation throughout the day. Does your child lose steam by lunchtime, nearly falling asleep in his plate? Does your child start doing parkour on the couch immediately after your activities because he’s over-aroused?
- Don’t be discouraged if what worked last week doesn’t work this week. Our children’s sensory systems can be affected by sleep, environment, time of day, you name it. Is your child going through a growth spurt? Are molars erupting? Was his bedroom warm last night and he was a restless sleeper? Any number of factors may impact your child’s sensory system and subsequently his response to what may have seemed to be a successful sensory diet.
- Remember that sensory diets aren’t one-size-fits-all. Don’t get discouraged if the activities you choose at first don’t work for your child; through trial and error, you’ll find the best fit.
When to Seek Professional Guidance
If you think your child could benefit from these kinds of sensory activities, it’s a good idea to talk with an occupational therapist. An OT can help evaluate and give an individualized sensory diet. A well-designed sensory diet can bring remarkable improvements, helping your child reach their full potential and enjoy their daily activities.
The Role of Occupational Therapists
One of the trickiest aspects of sensory difficulty is recognizing when a child is overreactive or underreactive in any given moment, and then calibrating sensory input to meet him where he is and provide a “just right challenge” to help him move forward into a “just right” state of being. That’s why it’s so important to partner up with knowledgeable help.