Additional Considerations for Kids Seeking

Movement, Proprioceptive Input, and Deep Pressure Input

This list provided in this blog post consists of my favorite seating options. They
address the needs and difficulties that I see with most students in schools. The
focus of these seats is to increase attention, enhance student engagement, and
improve posture.

However, you may have kids who need more movement during learning (click
for more ideas.) Consider setting up a “pacing lane” in the classroom (make a
designated space for standing and walking while reading or listening.)

In addition, a small rocker would be greatly beneficial. The linear movement is

incredibly organizing for the nervous system.

For your kids who constantly seek proprioceptive or deep pressure input, check
out Calming Deep Pressure Weighted Tools and Activities that Increase Focus.

You’ll find more specific tools such as bean bag chairs, weighted lap pads, etc
to give extra pressure input for kids that need it. It’s such powerful input for the
brain during learning! Proprioceptive sensory input helps kids stay relaxed and
pay attention better.

Be sure to add Brain Breaks throughout the day. (Click the link for a quick brain
break exercise series that includes Brain Gym Exercises. A free handout is
available.)

Classroom Exercise Program – 8 Weeks of Brain Breaks and Hand

Exercises
If you’re interested in more daily occupational therapy exercises for your
elementary kids, check out the 8-Week Classroom Exercise Program. This
program offers additional movement input, proprioceptive exercises, crossing
midline activities, fine motor skill exercises, and more.

Use these specific

occupational therapy
exercises to improve:

Attention… focus… core

stability… crossing
midline… sensory
Classroom Exercise Program – 8 Week Brain Break Series, $12.80
processing… visual
development… &
more… Click for more
info!

Related Sensory Strategies for the Classroom

48 Quick & Easy Alerting Sensory Strategies for Kids – Choosing specific
sensory activities can be very effective in increasing alertness in the brain.
Some sensory activities calm kids… make sure you know the ones that can
wake kids up when they need it!

Sensory Diet Strategies to Help Kids Focus on Homework – This post gives a
variety of sensory strategies and sensory activities to increase focus in the
home environment. These strategies are great for homework or for
homeschooling. (And they also help adults increase focus, too!)

Wake the Brain with Proven Oral Sensory Activities – The sensory receptors in
the mouth and jaw have a powerful impact on the nervous system. Many kids
need oral motor and oral sensory tools and activities to improve focus.
Pyramid of Learning – This post will help you understand the importance of the
sensory systems as the foundation for learning, behaving and attending.