Sensory Playing and Learning

We have been playing and learning around here like crazy...it's all pretty fun, it takes some work and creativity on my end, but it's all well worth it!

Griff is doing great. He is learning all sorts of new things and making good progress. He isn't "talking" a lot, but he is communicating in many different ways...which helps all of us out and definitely has made him a happy guy!!!

I wanted to share some of the stuff we do that has made a big difference for him. There are so many great ideas out there and I am looking forward to trying as many of them out as possible. We play a lot with painting, play-doh, shaving cream, bubbles and water. Griff is a "sensory seeker"...he needs to be moving and going most of the day. His central nervous system is similar to an infants instead of a toddler's, so he is just constantly on the go, and is just now learning how to slow himself down a little...it's a struggle for him, but he's catching on! If you are "new" to my blog and want to read more about Griff's issues, click here (0:

Bubble blowing is definitely a lot of fun! It helps him with motor planning and fine motor skills. He is learning how to "organize" and use all the muscles in his mouth and also having to practice his fine motor skills. You can tell in this picture that he is having to focus hard on holding the tubing and getting it to his mouth to make the bubbles....all while playing!!

This whistle is a bubble blower and it helps him with coordinating his lips and mouth. Kids with Apraxia have difficulty getting their lips and mouth and tongue to all work together. It takes practice and time and patience for it to all come together.

We have a new addition to our playroom...most of you know that we have hammocks hanging up in there and the kids have always loved hanging and swinging on them! I took them down (for now) and we now have a trapeze bar!!! Ha...who'd a thought??

It's a big hit and great therapy for Griff...

...as well as all the other kiddos around here!

This is a lot of fun too...these are socks (in fact, they were my Dad's socks...miss him terribly) filled with pinto beans of all things!! They are HEAVY...Griff loves to pull, push and carry heavy things. It helps him organize and strengthen his core. The stronger his core becomes, the more progress he will make all around, even with speech. We have relays in the yard to see who can carry them the fastest from one end to the other end. He also puts them in his shopping cart and pushes it every where. He even puts them in his backpack and wears it around for a good part of the day. I am AMAZED at how much this has helped him. I can take him in the stores now and he he behaves very well!!!!

Lilly seems to enjoy it as well...both of them are going to have some major muscles from hauling these socks around!

I also have Rubbermaid bins/totes filled with rice and beans. They are the big bins, so Griff can sit in them if he wants too. The rice and beans feel kind of cool on your feet, legs and hands. Again, helps with sensory stuff. Sometimes he just plays in them with his cars or I hide little toys in it and he digs them out with a little shovel. On a "rough" day...he just throws the rice everywhere and makes a big mess! LOL...it's still a fun play idea.

These are Griff's communication boards- 

The first one is his daily schedule. He gets up every morning and checks it to see what his day has in store for him. I am amazed at how much this has helped him. If he can't say the word, he can usually find a picture card to show me what he is trying to say.

 This next boards are is his communication boards... helps us with daily communication needs-

 

This one is my "on the go" board for him...has come in very handy! 

 As I said earlier, Griff has made some awesome progress! The only place he hasn't improved in is eating...ugh...such a battle. We are trying different things/tactics and I know we will get there in time. This place mat has helped some. It gets him to at-least touch his food, even if he doesn't eat it! It also gives him the option to taste something and put it in the "yucky" spot if he doesn't like it...or "yummy" if he does like it. I just want him to eat...it's definitely a work in progress-

This is our Time Timer...why I never knew about or had one of these before, is just dumb! It is awesome!!!! It would have worked for all of my kids! Whatever the task is- craft time, reading time, play time, eating time or a time out (LOL) Griff can SEE how much time is on the timer and watch it to see how much time is left before we move on to our next task. It even beeps when time is up...very cool gadget to have for little one's!
I am learning a lot from this experience with Griff and he is too...I think we have a long road ahead of us, but he is so sweet and so playful and so full of life...I wouldn't have it any other way.
I have found some really, really useful books for kids that are "high energy" or difficult or inattentive or are autistic or have ADHD or any type of central nervous system issues or sensory issues...in fact, these books have great info for any parent or caregiver that has kids!!!
Here they are-
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz
The Out-of-Sync Child has Fun by Carol Stock Kranowitz
Growing an In-Sync Child (same author)
They are a great read with TONS of great info. I have even found some things to try that should help Lilly with her CAPD difficulties.
Anyhow, just wanted to share everything with you all and let you know that Griff is making lots of progress.
Thanks for reading and God Bless!