Simple Ways to Support Your Child’s Development Every Day
You don’t need a giant playroom or expensive equipment to support your child’s sensory and motor development at home. In fact, many of the most effective activities can be created with what you already have. A sensory-friendly home simply provides safe, intentional opportunities to move, explore, and regulate throughout the day—helping your child build stronger skills outside of their specialized PT, OT, or ST sessions at Move U.
1. Couch Cushion Crash Pads
Gather couch cushions, blankets, or pillows and create a soft crash area. Make up a fun game where your child jumps into the pile, then crawls or walks over the uneven surface to return to the start.
What this supports:
- Calming sensory input through deep pressure and joint compression
- Body awareness and motor planning
- Goal-directed movements and confidence in gross motor play
2. “Heavy Work” Throughout the Day
Heavy work activities use pushing, pulling, lifting, and climbing to help kids feel grounded and regulated. These tasks naturally activate the muscles and joints, helping organize the nervous system.
Try these ideas:
- Push a laundry basket filled with clothes to a folding spot or turn it into a clean-up game by collecting toys
- Vacuuming, sweeping, or helping move light furniture
- Animal walks such as frog jumps, bear crawls, penguin walks, crab walks, or star jumps
What this supports:
- Regulation and attention
- Strengthening and endurance
- Body control and sequencing
3. Create Variety in Touch (Tactile Input)
Introducing different textures helps develop tactile discrimination, fine motor skills, and comfort with new sensations.
Try these activities:
- Sensory bins filled with rice, beans, shredded paper, or pom-poms for scooping, pouring, squeezing, and hiding small toys
- Kitchen helpers! Let your child roll cookie dough, knead bread, wash dishes in warm soapy water, or scrub fruits and veggies
What this supports:
- Fine motor coordination
- Tolerance of new textures
- Exploration and imaginative play
- Small Moments → Big Impact
The goal isn’t perfection or a picture-perfect sensory room. It’s about offering your child meaningful movement and sensory experiences woven into their day. Even a few minutes of intentional play can make a big difference.
If you’d like more ideas—or want a customized sensory-motor activity plan tailored specifically to your child’s needs—talk to your Move U therapist. We’re here to support your child’s growth at home, school, and in every environment where they learn and play.
