Pots, Spoons, Couch Cushions, Oh My! How to Enrich Your Child's Sensory Diet Using Household Items

This is an informational session for parents or professionals new to the area of Sensory Integration. Session will open with an overview of Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing, our seven senses (5 plus vestibular and proprioceptive), and what a ‘sensory diet’ is. This will be followed by a break down into small groups, each led by one of our Occupational Therapists, demonstrating and discussing ways to use everyday household items in creative ways to enrich the child’s sensory diet throughout the day. The three sub groups will focus on 1) activities for in the kitchen, 2) activities addressing attention span and arousal levels for sit-down activities, and 3) gross motor activities appropriate for in the house. Each group of participants will spend about 20 minutes in each of the three areas. The evening will wrap up by bringing all the groups back together for group discussion and brainstorming for further ideas. Resources for further information will be provided. Sample items commonly used in sensory diets will be displayed for exploration and discussion as well as handouts for many of the activities presented.