Sensory Bags for Children

1. SENSORY BAGS FOR CHILDREN

2. Sensory bags are real fun for children with sensory processing disorders. It is highly effective and is used in  occupational therapy sessions. Sensory bags are beneficial for both hyper- sensitive and hypo-sensitive children. For the hyper-sensitive kids, sensory bags help in managing their excess sensory stimulation by calming them down, whereas for the hypo-sensitive kids they satisfy many sensory needs. For example, if we fill the sensory bags with glitters in between, children are often mesmerized by the way glitters moves and descents inside the bag. This will in turn help children to control their breathing and helps in regulating their emotions.

3. Again the making of sensory bags majorly depends on each individual child’s sensory needs. For a child who often chooses to blow on his oral motor toys will be relaxed with 5 deep breaths or a child who often does deep pressure activities like pushing against the wall, will find heavy work as a calming tool. A child who likes surprises would certainly enjoy a bag full of surprise items. So the sensory bag creation is quite tricky and needs to be targeted on each individual kid.

4. Some of the tips while creating sensory bags would be: Addition of something to squeeze- like stress balls. Two footprints to put on the ground and jumped upon. Lotion, with the best fragrance, per say vanilla Two hand prints, that can be hung on the wall, when the child feels like pushing the wall. A write-on board that can be wiped off. Small toys with move-able parts. Mouthing toys like blow toys and chew toys.

5. These sensory items can be extremely helpful in developing skills like: Language Skills: When they explain their experience of playing with sensory bags in words. Fine Motor Skills:  When they make use of their body parts to manipulate the small objects, dumping and scooping. Social Skills: They learn about sharing and communicating with others while involved in this sensory play. Science and Math Skills: They develop the skills of measuring, guesstimating and learning about cause and effect, while closely examining the sensory materials.

6. CONCLUSION Sensory bags can be inferred to be the best help in calming the over sensitive kids and initiating sensory feelings on the under sensitive kids, beneficial for both categories. The best occupational therapy institutions in Sharjah  and other countries make use of these sensory bags, sensory bottles and sensory pins for their therapy sessions and even suggest parents for providing this facility at home.

7. THANK YOU PRESENTED BY, The best occupational therapy institutions Sharjah