Use Sensory Experiences to CALM a child.  sometimes a child can be hyper-active due to excitement, anxiety, fear, and over-sensitivity.

The sensory experiences used to CALM a childs' system:

What can we do as parents'teachers to calm a child?

• Create a small quiet space
• Decrease visual distractions
• Lower or dim lights
• Slow visual movements are

              calming, watching fish tanks,

              bubble tubes.

• Low sounds and voices
• Calming music
• Rocking is calming, rocker,

              hammock

• Linear movements are coming
• Proprioception (heavy work) has

              a modulating or calming effect.

              (see proprioceptive activities)

• Deep breathing/blowing: Bubbles

              whistles, balloons.

• Firm touch is calming:

              *Bear hugs

              *Firm massages

              *Kneading pizza dough game

              *Taco roll game (Roll in carpet)

              *Weighted vest or body sock

              *Roll large ball over body

              *Make a "sandwich" out of two

                pillows with childs head out.

• Scents can be relaxing:

              *Lavender

              *Vanilla

• Sweet tastes are relaxing:

              *Sugar-free sucking candy

• Sucking is relaxing:

              *Pulling liquids through straw

              *Thick liquids, jello, applesauce

                fruit smoothie

•  Chewy foods:

               *Bagels, dried fruits

               *Sugarless gum

 These activities are just suggestions and may not work for every child.  Consult with an Occupational Therapist.

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