A Guide for Neurodiverse Families
At The Sensory Shop, we celebrate neurodiversity and aim to provide resources that support and empower families. Whether your child is neurodiverse or simply needs a little extra help finding their calm, these activities are designed to soothe and engage.
Children, especially those who are neurodiverse, often experience the world in unique and intense ways. This can sometimes lead to sensory overload, anxiety, or difficulty focusing. Calming activities can help create a sense of peace and balance, providing children with the tools they need to navigate their emotions and environment. Here are a few of our suggestions that could help bring calm –
Sensory Play
Here are some ideas of activities to try:
- Sensory Bins: Fill a bin with rice, beans, or sand and add small toys or tools for digging and exploring.
- Playdough or Clay: Encourage your child to knead, roll, and shape dough, which can be incredibly soothing.
- Our magnetic tiles and magnetic sticks can help maintain focus and bring a sense of calm. They are lovely quiet activities.
Mindful Breathing
Mindful breathing exercises help children slow down and focus on their breath, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. Here are some activities to try:
- Balloon Breaths: Have your child imagine they are blowing up a balloon, taking deep breaths in through the nose and slowly exhaling through the mouth.
- Counting Breaths: Guide your child to inhale for a count of four, hold for four, and exhale for four.
- Candle Breaths: Have your child imagine that they are blowing out a candle. Make these quick short breaths and repeat a few times.
- Rainbow Breaths: Get your child to lift up their arms and in sweeping motion make a rainbow over their heads all the while taking deep breaths in and out.
Nature Walks
Being in nature provides a calming backdrop and allows children to engage with their environment in a peaceful way. Activities to Try:
- Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of items to find, like leaves, rocks, or flowers, and explore together.
- Mindful Listening: Sit quietly and listen to the sounds of nature, encouraging your child to identify different noises.
- Enjoy walks and hikes as a family in nature whether in forests or the beach or just in your back garden. Encourage outdoors play.
Art and Creativity
Art allows children to express themselves without words, offering a therapeutic outlet for emotions. Activities to Try:
- Painting or Drawing: Provide a variety of materials and let your child create freely. Creating gives one a sense of calm.
- Collage Making: Use old magazines, scissors, and glue to create a collage, focusing on colors and textures.
Gentle Movement
Physical activity can help release pent-up energy and improve mood, while gentle movements are calming. Activities to Try:
- Yoga:Simple poses like the butterfly or child’s pose can be calming and grounding.
- Dance Party: Play some soft music and encourage your child to move and sway to the rhythm.
- Jumping on a trampoline or bouncing on the gym ball.
- Enjoying our wobble boards.
In addition to these activities, consider the environment in which your child is playing. Soft lighting, calming colours, and minimal distractions can make a big difference.
Every child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The key is to explore different activities and observe how your child responds. By incorporating calming activities into your routine, you can help your child develop the skills they need to manage their emotions and find peace in their daily life.
We hope these ideas inspire you to create moments of calm and connection with your child. Remember, you’re not alone on this journey, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.